Stress, Screens, and the Simple Reset We’re All Missing
Have you noticed your stress levels creeping up lately?
I certainly have. Recently, I caught myself feeling unusually angry, tense, and on edge. My heart rate felt elevated, my patience was thin, and I finally realized the common denominator: constant exposure to social media and the news.
With so much happening in the U.S. right now, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, angry, or even helpless. The division, negativity, and nonstop stream of information can quietly (or not so quietly) activate our stress response. And when stress lingers, it doesn’t just stay in our heads—it shows up in the body.
How Stress Shows Up in the Body
Chronic stress impacts nearly every system in the body, including:
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Digestive issues and gut imbalance
Weakened immune function
Poor sleep and low energy
Brain fog, mood changes, and burnout
In other words, stress isn’t “just stress.” If unmanaged, it becomes a health issue.
My Simple Stress Reset
Once I recognized what was happening, I knew I needed to interrupt the cycle.
I stepped away from my electronics, grabbed a book, and headed outside. I sat in the sunshine, listening to the creek flow, and read for about 45 minutes. Almost immediately, I felt lighter—mentally and physically.
After that, I spent time tending my Tower Garden: harvesting fresh lettuce and tomatoes, refilling the tank with water and minerals, and wiping everything down. I stood back, admired the vibrant plants, and felt even better.
The evening wrapped up with cooking a nourishing meal and spending time in my sewing room, finishing a quilt for my granddaughter, who will arrive in just a couple of short weeks.
By bedtime, my stress had noticeably melted away.
A Realization I Didn’t Expect
That night, something else hit me.
Somewhere along the way—while building my business and focusing on productivity—I had set aside one of my greatest lifelong stress relievers: reading for pleasure.
I’ve always been a reader. From eagerly awaiting Scholastic book orders as a kid, to devouring novels at the beach as a teenager, to carrying a book everywhere during my corporate career—reading was my escape.
Even during high-pressure jobs, I rarely felt stressed. Looking back, I realize that reading quietly regulated my nervous system.
The periods of my life when stress felt the heaviest? Those were the times when I told myself I was “too busy” to read for enjoyment and that I was too focused on achievement to prioritize my health.
It Wasn’t Just Reading
Here’s the important part: it wasn’t just the book.
When I paired reading with time outdoors, I was also benefiting from nature itself—fresh air, sunlight, and a calmer sensory environment. Nature has a powerful ability to lower stress hormones and bring the body back into balance.
Stress Management Is a Pillar of Health
I’ve made many positive changes over the years—improving my nutrition, supporting my gut, prioritizing movement, sleep, and adding targeted supplements to support brain health.
Those foundations matter. A lot.
But mental health and stress management deserve just as much attention.
Diet, exercise, and sleep are critical—but if stress remains unchecked, progress can stall.
The Missing Ingredient
For me, the missing ingredient wasn’t another protocol.
It was intentionally spending time in nature doing something I truly love—something that allows my nervous system to downshift and my mind to rest.
So now I’ll ask you the same question:
What’s your missing ingredient?
Is it walking outside, gardening, reading, music, creative time, or simply unplugging?
Sometimes the most powerful health reset isn’t complicated—it’s a return to what grounds us.
If stress has been quietly stealing your energy, focus, or joy, this might be your invitation to pause… and reset.
With vitality & joy,
Terry
#BlueJeansandBerries
