You’re Not Failing at Managing Stress. Most Advice Just Misses the Mark.

If stress has ever made you feel like you’re falling behind in life, health, or motherhood—you’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not doing anything wrong. The truth? The way most people talk about stress isn’t just oversimplified…it’s often incomplete.

Many practitioners are doing the best they can within their scope, but stress doesn’t always fit neatly into a easy model of care. There’s often no checkbox for “burned out and running on empty,” and no magic prescription that truly speaks to the full-body toll stress can take.

We approach stress differently. We don’t see it as a symptom to suppress or something to “just get over.” We look under the hood. We ask better questions. And we use a functional medicine toolkit to help your body build real, lasting resilience.

If you suspect stress might be playing a role in your health—but aren’t sure how to talk to your doctor about it—here are some helpful questions to bring to a holistically-minded practitioner:

🧠 1. Do I need stress hormone testing?

Cortisol and DHEA are two key hormones that can offer insights into how your body is coping. If you’re constantly wired-but-tired, emotionally reactive, or just not bouncing back like you used to, testing might reveal what your body is trying to tell you.

🦠 2. Could stress be affecting my gut?

The gut-brain connection is real. Stress can disrupt digestion—and poor gut health can make you more vulnerable to stress. Functional stool testing and GI mapping help us pinpoint imbalances that impact both mood and immunity.

🍽️ 3. What nutrients do I need more of when I’m stressed?

Stress burns through magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C like wildfire. If you’re dealing with brain fog, fatigue, or trouble sleeping, you may not be getting (or absorbing) what your body truly needs to recover.

🩸 4. Could stress be affecting my hormones?

Yes—and in more ways than one. Your stress response system talks to your thyroid, your ovaries, your pancreas…basically your whole hormonal orchestra. If your cycle feels off, your cravings are intense, or your moods are swinging, stress might be playing a bigger role than you think.

Let’s Talk About Blood Sugar & Stress

Stress is tricky. It feels like it starts in your mind—but your body plays a huge role in how you experience it.

One of the biggest internal drivers of stress that often gets overlooked?
Blood sugar swings.

When your blood sugar drops too low, your body sees it as a crisis. In response, it releases cortisol—your stress hormone—to bring your levels back up. That spike can leave you feeling jittery, anxious, or just plain exhausted. Over time, this back-and-forth roller coaster drains your energy, disrupts sleep, and makes you feel less resilient.

Want to build a more steady foundation? Here are some simple ways to keep blood sugar balanced and support your nervous system:

✔️ Start your day with protein & healthy fat (think eggs, avocado over a veggie saute—not just a muffin and coffee)
✔️ Don’t skip meals—undereating or long gaps between food can trigger cortisol spikes
✔️ Pair carbs with protein or fiber to avoid the sharp spikes and crashes
✔️ Cut back on ultra-processed foods—they tend to create the highest highs and lowest lows in energy

You can’t control every stressor life throws your way. But you can support your body so it’s better equipped to ride the waves. And blood sugar balance is a big part of that.

Have you ever noticed food affecting your mood, energy, or stress levels? You’re not imagining it—and it’s something we help clients explore all the time.

The Truth About Stress: Let’s Bust Some Myths

📍Myth 1: You just have to shift your mindset.
Mindset matters—but it’s not the whole picture. You can’t “positive think” your way out of a dysregulated nervous system. Safety in the body comes first. Then, mindset work becomes more effective.

📍Myth 2: Intense workouts help burn off stress.
Yes, movement helps. But if your adrenals are tapped out, another HIIT session might just dig the hole deeper. Sometimes, the most therapeutic move is a gentle walk, yin yoga, or a slow dance in your kitchen.

📍Myth 3: Coffee helps you push through.
Coffee gives a short-term lift—but it can also mask fatigue and rev up cortisol. If your body is whispering “I need rest,” more caffeine isn’t the answer. Deep rest is.

📍Myth 4: If you’re not anxious, you’re not stressed.
Stress isn’t always a racing mind. It might show up as bloating, insomnia, forgetfulness, or hair loss. Your body might be carrying the stress your mind doesn’t notice—or doesn’t want to admit.

📍Myth 5: Stress is always bad.
Stress, in itself, isn’t the villain. It’s a biological response that helps us adapt and grow. The issue is when stress becomes constant, chronic, and unrelieved. That’s when it starts to drain your vitality.

You’re Not Broken—You Just Deserve Better Tools

So much of what we’ve been taught about stress puts the pressure on us to “handle it better.”

But you don’t need to be tougher. You need tools that support your body, your hormones, and your nervous system. When your body feels safe, your mind follows.

If you’re ready to stop blaming yourself and start getting real support, we’re here to help. Join Thrive Tribe for 1:1 care, functional testing, and a root-cause plan built just for you.

Because managing stress isn’t just about surviving. It’s about finding your way back to balance, energy, and peace—on your terms.