7 Ways to Dance Differently With Stress to Experience More Energy and Playfulness in Your Life
Stress is becoming an epidemic in our culture. According to the World Health Organization, stress is widely recognized as a major health concern of the 21st century. A stress response is a normal function of the body—and we need it in certain situations—but living in a constant state of stress is not healthy and can make us sick.
As hard as we try, we can’t stop stressful things from happening. But we can learn to relate differently to stress. Jon Kabat-Zinn said, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” When we actively engage with stress in healthier ways, we can reduce its negative effects and build resilience—so we feel more energetic, more grounded, and more playful in life.
Below are ways to “dance differently” with stress—by upgrading the nervous system, practicing stress-reduction activities, changing our perception of stress, and addressing the root of chronic stress (which is often connected to earlier life experiences).
- Upgrade your nervous system to interact with stress in a calmer way.
Yoga once or twice a week may not be enough for some people. Many benefit from daily—and even moment-to-moment—stress reduction techniques. Use guided visualizations or meditations throughout the day, especially upon waking and before bed. Popular guided meditation resources include Headspace and the Stop, Breathe & Think app. Alternate nostril breathing (often called Nadi Shodhana) can quickly settle the breath, calm the nervous system, and increase focus.
- Call a friend.
We are wired for connection—especially in response to stress. Many people benefit from “tend and befriend,” a relational stress response supported by the soothing effects of connection. According to Polyvagal Theory (Dr. Stephen Porges), social connection can help regulate the nervous system and increase a sense of safety. When you feel stressed, consider reaching out and connecting with someone supportive.
- Try to be asleep by 10:00 pm.
Sleep is restorative and supports REM (Rapid Eye Movement), which helps the brain process the day’s experiences. Sleep also supports the parasympathetic “rest and digest” state, allowing the body to recover and replenish. Under chronic stress, people can feel “tired and wired,” notice cortisol spikes at night, or wake up in the middle of the night. A consistent sleep schedule can help regulate the body. If sleep issues persist, consider consulting a qualified provider to explore root causes.
- Have a gratitude practice.
Our brains easily focus on what’s going wrong—but this shapes how we think over time. Thanks to neuroplasticity, we can strengthen new patterns. A daily gratitude practice helps build resilience and supports healthier stress recovery.
- Support stress recovery with gut health.
Chronic stress can affect digestion and the gut microbiome. Ongoing urgency, anxiety, fear, and adrenaline can contribute to inflammation and discomfort. A diet higher in whole foods and plant-based fiber (including prebiotic-rich foods) can support gut health—alongside stress reduction.
- Let stress “wake you up.”
Rather than seeing stress only as something bad happening to you, you can gently ask: “What is here for me to learn?” or “How might I grow from this?” Sometimes stress can become an invitation to build new skills, boundaries, and resilience.
- Get to the root of chronic, “out-of-control” stress.
Lifestyle changes matter—but stress is also cumulative. If someone grows up in an environment where stress is constant, the nervous system can become wired for hypervigilance. For many people, healing also involves processing distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy can help process the origins of stress and support nervous system “reset,” so people can feel more resilient and experience more joy, energy, and playfulness.
Vancouver EMDR Therapy PLLC
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