She learned the rhythm of her body the way others learned weather. Some days arrived clear and bright, others heavy with pressure that slowed her steps. Chronic stress has been shown to alter the nervous system, increasing cortisol levels and affecting immune response, sleep quality, and emotional regulation over time (McEwen 171). Her fatigue was not weakness. It was information. Once she understood that, she stopped fighting the signal and started responding to it.
In quieter moments, she practiced slowing her breath, grounding herself in sensation rather than worry. Mindfulness-based practices have been associated with reduced stress reactivity and improved psychological flexibility, particularly in people managing ongoing health or life challenges (Kabat-Zinn 146). She imagined herself as something mythical, a guardian creature that rested between battles instead of collapsing from them. Even legends, she knew, withdrew to heal.
Acceptance did not mean surrender. It meant strategy. By listening instead of pushing, she found strength that lasted longer than force ever could. The body, when respected, responded with resilience. And slowly, steadily, it began to trust her back.
Works Cited (MLA)
Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. Revised ed., Bantam Books, 2013.
McEwen, Bruce S. “Protective and Damaging Effects of Stress Mediators.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 338, no. 3, 1998, pp. 171–179.
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