I Was Stressed 24/7—Until I Started Doing This...

Life gets messy. Deadlines pile up, unexpected problems hit, and sometimes, it feels like everything is happening all at once.

And if you're like me, stress doesn’t just sit in your head. It takes over your whole body.

Tight shoulders, restless nights, feeling drained for no reason.

A couple of years ago, I used to deal with stress like most people do:

• Scrolling mindlessly on my phone

• Binge-watching shows, or

• Convincing myself I just needed "one more coffee" to push through.

Guess what? None of that actually helped.

What did? Moving my body.

I’m not saying you need to become a gym rat or start training for a marathon, but I can confidently tell you that physical activity is the most effective stress relief tool I’ve ever found.

Here’s exactly what helps me manage stress—and might help you too:

1. Exercise Gives My Brain an ‘Off’ Switch

When my mind is racing and I can’t focus, I go for a walk. Not a power walk, not a workout—just a simple, no-pressure walk.

Here’s why it works:

• It gets me out of my head and into the real world.

• Fresh air + movement = instant mood boost.

• It gives me space to think without distractions.

Some of my best ideas and biggest realizations have come while walking. And if you add music, a podcast, or just enjoy the silence? Even better.

2. I Take My Anger Out on the Weights (Or the Pavement)

Nothing clears my head faster than lifting weights. When I’m stressed, I channel it into something productive—picking up heavy things and putting them back down.

Some people rant. Some people keep it bottled up. I lift weights, sprint, or hit push-ups until I feel too tired to be mad anymore.

Why this works for me:

• It forces me to focus. If I zone out, I drop the weight. Simple as that.

• It gives me a sense of control when everything else feels chaotic.

• It turns stress into fuel instead of letting it eat me alive.

If you’ve never used exercise as an outlet for frustration, try it. You’ll sleep better. You’ll feel lighter. And you won’t be wasting energy on things you can’t control.

3. Short, Intense Workouts When I’m Overwhelmed

Some days, my brain is so overloaded that I can’t even think straight. That’s when I go for a short, intense workout - something that makes me sweat, breathe hard, and forget everything else for a few minutes.

My go-to options:

• 10 minutes of burpees, push-ups, and squats

• Sprinting up a hill or staircase

• A quick kettlebell circuit

Next time you catch yourself spiraling, stop. Get up. Move. Even if it’s just pacing around your house.

4. I Sleep Like a Baby When I Train Hard

Stress and bad sleep go hand in hand. And let’s be real—if you’re not sleeping well, everything else feels worse.

But after a solid workout?
I’m out like a light.

No tossing and turning. No staring at the ceiling overthinking life. Just deep, quality sleep.

And better sleep = better mood, better energy, and less stress the next day. Simple math.

5. It’s My ‘Me Time’—No One Can Interrupt It

Life gets loud. People need things from you. Work doesn’t stop.

But when I train? That’s my time. No emails. No notifications. Just me and my workout.

It’s the one part of my day where I don’t owe anyone anything. And that alone makes a huge difference in my stress levels.

The Bottom Line

If stress is hitting you hard, start small. You don’t need to crush an intense workout or hit the gym for an hour. Just move.

• Take a walk.

• Do 10 push-ups.

• Stretch for five minutes.

• Go outside and breathe.

You’ll feel the difference.

At the end of the day, stress isn’t going anywhere. But when you move your body, you remind yourself that you’re stronger than it. And that’s a game-changer.

Now, I want to hear from you.

What’s your go-to way to shake off stress?

Do you already use movement, or is this something you want to try?

Hit reply and let me know—I read every response and might even try your method myself.