5 Simple Steps To Shift From Stress To Peace

If you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, I have a little gift for you today: peace may be just one inspired action away. Yep, you read that right. In the middle of a stress spin, there’s a way out—one that doesn’t require endless hours of meditation or a complete life overhaul (though, I’m not saying those aren’t awesome options).

Let’s dive into how you can break free from stress, move beyond self-sabotage, and invite your highest self to take the wheel of your life. Ready? Let’s go!

Why Stress is So Sneaky—and How to Beat It

Stress is sneaky isn’t it? It shows up in all sorts of ways: overthinking, avoidance, procrastination, or the all-too-familiar overwhelm.

But here’s the truth—most of the time, stress comes from letting our inner critic take the wheel. You know, that voice that tells you you’re not good enough, that you’ll never get it right, or that things are just too complicated or awful and only getting worse. Sound familiar? Good news! You don’t have to let that inner critic run the show anymore.

Instead, you get to choose who drives the Joy bus. And I’m here to remind you: your highest self is totally ready to take the wheel.

You can transform stress into peace, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, I’m going to share with you a simple but super powerful exercise that will help you shift your energy and make peace your new default setting.

5 Ways to Feel Better When You’re in a Stress Spin

I invite you to pause for a second. Take a deep breath. Ready? Now let’s break it down.

1. Name the Stress
   The first step is to get clear about what’s causing your stress. It might sound simple, but clarity is everything. When you can identify exactly what’s stressing you out, you can start to take control of the situation. So—what’s the stress really about? Is it a situation at work or in your business? A conversation you need to have? A deadline you’re dreading? The more specific you can get, the more power you have over the situation.
   
   
2. Make a "Stress List"
   Now, let’s get it all out of your head. Write down everything that’s stressing you out. I’m talking about the mental clutter, the endless to-do lists, the worries swirling in your brain. Get it on paper and release it from your mind. This simple act of externalizing your stress will lighten the load and give you the mental space to breathe.
   
   
3. Create a "Peace List"
   Once you’ve cleared your head with your stress list, it’s time to turn the tables. What would make you feel better? What actions could you take that would help you feel a little lighter, a little more at ease? These are your inspired actions. It might be sending that email, making that phone call, or simply taking a walk to clear your mind. Write it all down. Create your “peace list.”
   
   
4. Schedule Your Actions
   Here’s the game-changer: You’ve got to schedule those inspired actions. Don’t let them live on a list that never gets touched. Look at your peace list and pick one or two things to do today. Actually schedule them in your calendar. That’s right—put it in your calendar like it’s a non-negotiable meeting with yourself. When you schedule inspired actions, you’re making peace a priority. And trust me, your future self will thank you.
   
   
5. Feel Proud AF
   You did it! You’re a Joy Warrior taking accountability for your well-being, and you’re making moves to create the life you truly want. And that deserves to be celebrated. Don’t skip the part where you pause and appreciate how far you’ve come. Feeling proud of yourself is a critical part of the process. So, celebrate those wins—even the small ones!

The Power of Inspired Action

Feeling better isn’t always easy, but it is totally worth it. And the secret? Inspired action.

You might not feel like doing much when you’re stuck in a stress spiral. But I promise you, taking one small, inspired action is the key to breaking the cycle. It could be anything—a decision you’ve been avoiding, a conversation you’ve been putting off, or simply showing up for yourself in a way that honours your needs. Whatever it is, get it on your calendar, take the step, and celebrate yourself when you complete it.

Your inner critic will show up with all the reasons why it won’t work, why it’s too hard, or why you’re not enough. But guess what? Your highest self knows better. And when you let that higher version of yourself lead the way, everything changes.

Now, It’s Your Turn, Joy Warrior

Stress and overwhelm don’t have to run your life. With a little clarity, inspired action, and a whole lot of self-love, you can shift from stress to peace—and live a life that’s in alignment with your deepest desires.

If you loved this exercise, it’s something we do every Wednesday in The Leadership Edition of The Daily Joy Journal. Get your copy today and start taking action towards a life you love.