Don't try to eliminate your stress. Instead, take advantage of it. Three experts, Aditi Nerurkar, MD, MPH, Kelly McGonigal, PhD, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD combine their insights on physiology, psychology, and mindfulness to show how stress management can become a superpower. They explain how stress can help you grow, how the body's "challenge response" fuels focus and energy, and how mindfulness can help you see beyond your thoughts.
Brain fog can happen to anyone and it's not a personal failing or a sign that you're not coping. Often, it's simply your brain's way of saying it's tired, stressed or overstretched. Remind yourself that brain fog is usually temporary and it's okay to slow down, delegate tasks or ask for help when you need it. If you are concerned then you should contact your GP.
Hearing the words "slow down," whether from a yoga teacher or a self-help influencer on Instagram, no matter how well-intentioned, can feel like banging my head against a wall. As if slowing down will solve all my problems! Moving as fast as possible-whether it's my hands on the keyboard at work or my body in and out of Downward-Facing Dog on my yoga mat-is how I try to outrun my stress demons. You know, lest I move in an unhurried fashion and have to actually feel things.
There's no doubt about it, the world is feeling like a lot lately. From 24/7 news alerts to climate anxiety, financial pressure, and a constant stream of bad takes on the internet, it's no surprise that many of us are looking for the exits. More and more, many of us are seeking ways to escape and break free from the constant barrage of noise.
Back-to-school season can bring excitement as well as anxiety. Research consistently shows that transitions-whether starting a new grade, entering high school, or moving away to college-are major stress points for children and young adults. For kids already coping with depression or anxiety, these changes can feel especially overwhelming. As parents, we cannot prevent every stressor, but we can buffer our children against them by offering support, structure, and understanding.
Every year on August 15, the country collectively takes a deep breath and exhales in celebration of National Relaxation Day. Originally started in 1985 by Sean Moeller, this day is a reminder to pause, decompress, and take care of yourself.
"I've tried it a couple nights in a row and it literally works. It's the best trick I've ever tried. One night I swear I did it twice and I remember thinking, 'No way is this going to work,' and the next thing I knew it was 7:30 and my alarm was going off."
Co-regulation requires three skill sets: the ability to identify when your partner is emotionally dysregulated, the ability to tell your partner when you are dysregulated, and the ability to react to your partner in a way that is calming.
Understanding your emotional triggers and reactions significantly impacts mental health, relationships, work performance, and overall life satisfaction. Recognizing these triggers helps individuals manage stress more effectively.
"ChatGPT literally helped me with breastfeeding, and how to decorate my daughter's birthday cake," one commenter wrote under Schmidt's video. "ChatGPT is carrying the weight of my family at this point," another added.
Cortisol is essential for biological processes, helping manage stress responses, regulating blood sugar, modulating inflammation, and supporting metabolism and immune responses.
