Your 'Busy' Life Isn't Just Making You Tired. It's Making You Sick
For two decades, I thrived in the world of humanitarian work and diplomacy. The long hours, high-stakes negotiations, and constant travel were a badge of honor. I was adept at managing international crises, but I wasn't listening to the crisis brewing inside my own body.
My wake-up call came in the form of a pre-diabetic diagnosis. My doctor suggested medication, but my health coach training kicked in. I knew this wasn't just about blood sugar; it was my body’s way of keeping a different kind of record of my career stress. I had to become my own advocate, negotiating a new “peace deal” between my mind and my body.
Here’s the thing I wish every ambitious woman knew: Stress isn't just "in your head. " It's a physical condition that has a direct, negative impact on your body, and it's not something to be ignored.
When we face stress, our adrenal glands, the body's second line of defense after the brain, kick into gear. They release cortisol, often called the "stress hormone". In short bursts, cortisol is helpful. It increases your blood sugar to give your brain and body the energy they need to fight or flee a threat. But when stress is chronic, cortisol can have damaging long-term effects. It's a key factor behind some of the most common health complaints women experience in their 30s and 40s and beyond.
The silent red flags of long-term stress can show up as:
Poor wound healing
Stomach ulcers
Fatigue and exhaustion
Difficulty getting up in the morning
Depression and anxiety
Yeast overgrowth
Bone loss
Reproductive health issues
Weight gain around the abdomen
This isn't about shaming yourself for having a stressful life; it's about understanding how your body works so you can support it. It's a call to reframe your mindset and recognize that managing stress is a crucial part of building a life of purpose, joy, and phenomenal change.
A simple, yet powerful thought to start with: What is one thing you can do this week, big or small, to honor the signals your body is sending you? (P.S. If you're tired of relying on caffeine to get you going in the morning or feeling that familiar "wired and tired" sensation, you're not alone. We'll be diving deeper into these topics soon.)
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