20/10/2025
Is Stress Sneaking Up on You? The Hidden Load That’s Draining Your Energy
Most people think of stress as mental stuff. Deadlines, family dramas, social media, too many tabs open in your head. But the truth is, stress isn’t just in your mind.
I caught up with a friend the other day who was losing it over trying to sell their house. The photos weren’t right, the launch date was delayed, and they were ready to explode. You could see it written all over them – jaw tight, shoulders up near their ears, energy completely shot.
That’s the thing about stress. It doesn’t usually hit all at once. It’s the slow build-up that gets you. A pile of hidden stressors you might not even notice until you’re running on empty.
The Stressors You Don’t See Coming
Here’s where it gets interesting. Stress isn’t just about emotions or workload. It’s sneaky.
Physical: not enough sleep, chronic pain, overdoing it at the gym, infections, or even temperature extremes.
Environmental: toxins, mould, EMFs, certain medications, and chemical exposure (hello glyphosate).
Dietary: too much alcohol, processed food, sugar crashes, or missing key nutrients.
Emotional: relationship tension, money worries, grief, or just scrolling through too much online noise.
Each of these adds water to your stress bucket. And if you don’t have enough outlets like rest, good nutrition, laughter (which is why I cover oxytocin in our Self-Managed Course), or a sense of purpose, that bucket fills up fast. When it spills over, you’re done.
So How Do You Start Draining It?
You can’t always avoid stress, but you can train your body and mind to handle it better.
1. Fuel your body properly.
Start with real food. Whole, nutrient-dense meals. Deficiencies in iron, B12, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D can all mimic stress symptoms – fatigue, brain fog, low mood, or that “I just can’t get it together” feeling.
Here’s the tricky bit: magnesium testing isn’t that reliable because most of it hides inside your cells, not in your blood. So instead of chasing lab numbers, tune into how you feel. If you’re cramping, tired, or not sleeping well, that’s your body waving a flag. Load up on magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and hemp hearts, or consider a good quality supplement. I dive into this a lot more in our Self-Managed Course.
2. Breathe deeper and slower.
It sounds too simple, but deep breathing can flip your stress switch faster than anything else. That’s why we focus on it in the Self-Managed Course. Try this: breathe in through your nose for four counts, hold for four, then exhale for six. Do it a few times and notice your shoulders drop and your brain start to chill out.
3. Sleep like it matters.
You can’t outsmart bad sleep. It’s the cheapest form of therapy out there. Aim for seven to eight hours and if you wake up often, maybe ease off the nightcaps or screens before bed.
4. Get sunlight and connection.
Sunlight gives you vitamin D and connection gives you oxytocin. Both make life’s curveballs easier to handle. A coffee with a mate in the sun ticks both boxes.
5. Move daily.
Your brain loves movement. It doesn’t need to be intense – a walk, a bit of stretching, gardening, dancing around your kitchen – anything that tells your body you’re safe and not under attack.
Nutrient Foundations for Energy, Mood & Resilience
When stress takes over, your nutrient stores get used up faster than you can replace them. That’s why replenishing through a balanced diet (and sometimes smart supplementation) makes such a difference.
Here’s what I’d focus on first:
Iron: fuels energy and focus.
B12: supports your brain and nervous system.
Magnesium: keeps you calm and helps with sleep.
Zinc: helps with mood and immunity.
Vitamin D: supports resilience and vitality.
You don’t need a stack of blood tests to start. Just pay attention to how you feel. Low energy, restless sleep, anxiety, low motivation – those are often early signs your body needs a bit more love.
Simon Says
Stress is part of being human, but it doesn’t have to run your life. Once you understand your hidden stressors and start topping up your nutrient tank, you’ll handle challenges better and feel more like yourself again.
And if you’re not stressed right now, good on you. You’re in the perfect position to notice who around you is. A simple chat, a walk, or a shared laugh can do more good than you realise. Sometimes helping someone else drain their stress bucket helps you empty a bit of your own too.
Don’t wait until your bucket overflows to do something about it. Take five minutes today to slow your breathing, eat something that grew in the ground, or call someone who makes you laugh. Small things done often make a bigger difference than you think.
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