“Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace.” ~ Joan Borysenko

I used to think I can take any amount of pressure in my 20″s. And I did excel under pressure at the time. I would study until late for exams and then go take them on 2 hours of sleep. I did and still do work well under stress. However, while I could achieve results under stress, I did not realize how I was harming my own body and mind in the process.

It was about a year after my daughter was born, when I started to see the full effect of the stress taking over my mind and body. It took the form of persistent migraines, lower back aches, dark circles under my eyes and forgetfulness. It was then that I realised something was seriously wrong. Physically, all my tests were normal, and that was a wake up call for me. I knew I had put so much pressure on myself, and needed to take back control of my life. For my sake and my baby’s.

Stress is the psyche’s way of signaling that something within or around you feels out of alignment. It arises when your inner sense of harmony is disrupted by a perceived challenge or demand that seems greater than your current capacity to meet it. In essence, stress is the body’s sacred messenger, alerting you to areas where balance, boundaries, or deeper presence are needed. When experienced in small doses, it can awaken growth, focus, and resilience. But when it lingers, when tension becomes your constant companion, it can fragment both body and spirit, calling for restoration, compassion, and mindful recalibration of your inner world.

Here are 10 gentle signs that your spirit may be stressed and is asking for care and renewal… along with reflections and healing practices for each.

10 Gentle Signs That You Are Stressed(& that your soul is asking for care and renewal)

1. You’re Forgetful

When your mind is overloaded, it’s as if your inner compass loses its magnetic north. Forgetfulness isn’t a flaw, it’s your soul’s whisper saying, “Please make space for me.”
Try this: Take three conscious breaths when you misplace something. Instead of frustration, offer yourself compassion. You’re not losing your memory, you’re losing connection to the present moment.

2. Everyday Noise Feels Overwhelming

If the hum of life feels louder than usual, it’s a sign your nervous system is overstimulated. Spiritually, it means your inner sanctuary is craving quiet.
Try this: Spend five minutes in silence- no music, no screens. Simply notice the peace that exists underneath the noise.

3. You Forget Your Vitamins or Medication

Neglecting your physical needs often mirrors a deeper disconnection from self-care. It’s not laziness, it’s a form of self-forgetting.
Try this: Place your vitamins near a candle or crystal. Make taking them a sacred ritual of self-honoring rather than a task on your list.

4. You Crave Junk Food

Comfort food often shows up when your spirit is longing for emotional nourishment. What you’re truly hungry for is ease, sweetness, and warmth not pizza or ice cream.
Try this: Before eating, ask yourself, “What is my body truly needing right now: energy, comfort, or love?” Respond with kindness, not guilt.

5. You Procrastinate Small Tasks

Putting off simple tasks can be a sign of energetic depletion. When your inner battery is low, even small actions feel heavy.
Try this: Pick one tiny task and bless it. For example, as you wash a dish, imagine you’re cleansing your thoughts. Turn simple everyday action into meditation.

6. Even Fun Feels Like a Hassle

When joy feels distant, it’s not gone, it’s actually buried under the weight of unprocessed stress.
Try this: Instead of forcing joy, invite gentle pleasure- a walk outside, a calming bath, or your favorite tune or nature sound. Joy often returns quietly when you stop chasing it.

7. Thinking Takes More Energy

Mental fog is your system’s way of conserving energy. Spiritually, it’s an invitation to trust intuition over intellect.
Try this: When your mind feels tired, place your hand on your heart and ask, “What do I know to be true right now?” …. then simply listen.

8. You Feel Misunderstood

Heightened sensitivity is often a by-product of stress. But on a soul level, it’s a reminder to communicate from the heart, not from fear.
Try this: Before responding to someone, breathe in compassion for yourself and them. Then speak from calm truth instead of tension.

9. You’re Self-Critical

Inner judgment grows louder when you’re tired. Remember, your inner critic isn’t your enemy, it’s a scared part of you seeking reassurance.
Try this: When self-criticism arises, say softly, “I see your fear, but I choose love.” The energy of grace always dissolves harshness.

10. You Feel Unsupported

When even kindness from others feels off, it’s often because your inner self hasn’t felt seen by you.
Try this: Write yourself a short note that begins with, “Dear me, I see how hard you’re trying…” This simple act reconnects you with self-trust and softness.

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🌸 Closing Thought

I used to think of Stress as a sign of weakness, not strength. But that is exactly what it is. I realised that it’s a sacred message from my soul that something within me is longing for balance, love, and light. As I treated each of these signs as a divine nudge toward deeper self-compassion, not as evidence that something is wrong….I healed.

Your soul is simply asking for gentleness. Listen tenderly and healing will begin. ❤

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