Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

Let’s be honest:

Stress is unavoidable.

There are stressful things in our lives, our businesses, our families, our schedules, and the world around us. No matter how well you plan, no matter how healthy you are, life is still going to throw stressful moments your way.

So the goal isn’t to eliminate stress entirely.

The goal is to learn how to manage it so it doesn’t manage you.

A Little Stress Isn’t Always Bad

Now, not all stress is negative.

Smetimes a little bit of stress:

• Gets your brain firing

• Helps you focus

• Gives you energy and momentum

That’s not the kind of stress I’m worried about.

The kind I’m talking about is the kind that:

• Keeps you awake at night

• Makes your brain spin in circles

• Leaves you feeling overwhelmed

• Keeps you constantly waiting for “the next thing” to go wrong

That kind of stress impacts:

• Your sleep

• Your mood

• Your focus

• Your health

• Your relationships

• Your business

And eventually… your joy.

What Stress Looks Like for Me Right Now

As I’m recording this, I’m getting ready for my trip to Portugal and Spain.

And while travel brings me tremendous joy…

The pre-trip planning?

A little stressful.

Did I pack everything?
What’s the weather going to be like?
Do I have all my travel documents?
Did I remember snacks for the plane?
Do I have my water bottle? My passport? My chargers?

It’s a lot of mental tabs open at once.

The Simple Stress Management Tool I Use Constantly

So here’s one of the biggest ways I manage stress:

👉 I get things out of my head.

The moment something starts spinning around in my brain, I write it down.

Because the longer it stays floating around mentally, the more energy it takes up.

Why Writing Things Down Works

Once it’s written down:

• I don’t have to remember it

• I don’t have to mentally rehearse it

• I don’t have to worry about forgetting it

My brain can let it go.

That’s huge.

My “Last Minute Packing” List

For example, before every trip I keep a specific “last minute packing” list.

It includes things like:

• Makeup bag

• Jewelry

• Water bottle

• Glasses

• Phone charger

• Passport

• Currency

• Sneakers

Some of those may sound obvious.

But writing them down removes the mental clutter.

And then I put a calendar reminder in place:
✔️ Check final packing list before leaving for airport

Done.

No more spinning thoughts.

The Tiny Details Matter Too

I even add little reminders like:

• Leave car key at home

• Water the plants

• Lock the door

Because stress often comes from trying to mentally carry too many tiny details at once.

Your System Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy

Here’s the important part:

There is no “perfect” organizational system.

The best system is simply:
👉 The one you will actually use consistently.

For me, I use Microsoft To Do because:

• I can create multiple lists

• I can share lists

• I can organize personal and business tasks easily

But your system could be:

• A notebook

• Sticky notes

• Your calendar

• A planner app

• A whiteboard

• A CRM system

The format doesn’t matter.

Consistency does.

One of the Biggest Causes of Stress

You know what doesn’t work?

“I wrote it down somewhere…”

And now you can’t find it.

That creates more stress, not less.

So whatever system you use:
✔️ Keep it simple
✔️ Keep it accessible
✔️ Keep it consistent

Stress Management Is Self-Care

Too often we think self-care has to look glamorous.

But honestly?

Sometimes self-care looks like:

• Making the list

• Putting it on the calendar

• Creating a system

• Removing mental clutter

That’s self-care too.

Your Challenge This Week

Ask yourself:

👉 What’s taking up too much space in my head right now?
👉 What could I write down instead of mentally carrying?
👉 What system would help me feel calmer and more supported?

Start there.

Little by little, those systems create more peace.