From Overwhelmed to Anchored and Navigating the Elephant in the Room
- Brainz Magazine
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Heather Williams is well-known when it comes to empowering women in midlife to prioritize their well-being and thrive. She is the founder of Journey24EverFit, an online fitness platform offering Fitness and Goal Coaching, Personal Training, and virtual fitness classes.
There's an uninvited guest in our homes, workplaces, and even our bodies. This elephant follows us everywhere, growing larger with each news cycle, economic forecast, and political development. While some of us acknowledge its presence, others pretend not to see it, but we all feel the weight of its existence.
This collective stress the elephant in the room isn't just affecting our thoughts. It's landing in our bodies with unmistakable physical symptoms: body aches that appear without explanation, digestive issues that disrupt our days, fatigue that no amount of coffee seems to fix, headaches that become unwelcome companions, irritability that strains our relationships, and even heart palpitations that wake us in the night.
When we experience prolonged stress, like the kind brought on by constant economic and political uncertainty, our bodies stay alert. This isn't just uncomfortable; it's exhausting on a cellular level. Our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing us to fight or flee from danger. These hormones are helpful in true emergencies but were never meant to circulate at high levels day after day, week after week.
This ongoing stress response affects nearly every system in our body. Our digestive system slows down, leading to stomach discomfort and irregular patterns. Our immune system becomes compromised, making us more susceptible to illness. Our sleep quality deteriorates as our minds race with worries. Even our muscles remain tense, creating those mysterious aches and pains that seem to have no physical cause.
You're not imagining these symptoms, and you are certainly not alone in experiencing them. Our bodies are sounding alarms in response to the uncertainty around us, from economic instability to employment concerns to the divisive political landscape.
This article isn't meant to add to your stress or trigger further anxiety. Instead, it's an acknowledgment that I see the elephant, too. I hear the alarms, and it's setting off, and I understand you might feel like you're the only one experiencing this physical response to our collective situation.
Let's start to quiet the noise by checking in with ourselves. These reflection questions aren't another item on your to-do list – they're an invitation to listen to what your body might be trying to tell you:
What are you carrying right now that no one can see?
When was the last time you allowed yourself to pause and breathe?
What would happen if you admitted to yourself that you're tired?
These questions might feel uncomfortable, but naming what we're experiencing is the first step toward addressing it. When we acknowledge it, the elephant doesn't grow larger; it actually begins to lose some of its power.
Once we've recognized our feelings, we can take simple steps to reclaim our sense of balance. But here's the challenge: these strategies only work when implemented intentionally, not as another form of distraction or obligation.
Consider how often our coping mechanisms backfire. The retiree fills her calendar with volunteer work because "busy means productive," but she ends up more exhausted. The fitness enthusiast adds another high-intensity workout because "pushing harder" must be the answer, yet she feels more depleted. The working parent extends their hours because "everyone else is doing it," further straining their well-being.
The difference between relief and more stress often lies not in what we do but in how and why we do it. Here are five strategies that don't add more to your plate but instead create space for what truly supports you:
Be aware of your stress triggers: Name them, don't shame them. Recognizing what sets off your stress response can help you prepare and respond rather than merely react.
Balance news intake with joy: Music, movement, sunlight whatever brings you back to center. Consider setting specific times to check news and social media, with intentional breaks in between.
Have a transition ritual: After work, after calls, after challenging moments. Even a 30-second pause to breathe deeply can help your nervous system reset.
Connect to someone who gets it: Talk it out; don't carry it alone. Sharing your experience doesn't make you weak; it makes you human.
Move your body: Walk a little farther, stretch in the morning, garden, or dance in your kitchen. Movement isn't just about fitness; it's one of the most effective ways to process stress hormones and return to balance.
These action steps may have you nodding in agreement but still wondering if taking action is truly necessary. After all, we've all become accustomed to carrying more than we should.
But what if the real strength isn't in how much we can endure but in how well we can care for ourselves through uncertain times? What if fitness isn't just about changing your body but about creating stability when everything else feels unstable?
The elephant in the room won't disappear overnight. Its presence reflects genuine challenges in our world. But you don't have to navigate its impact alone, and you don't have to figure out the perfect response by yourself.
If you're ready to move from overwhelmed to anchored, I invite you to book a complimentary Reset & Reflect session. Together, we'll explore what's been feeling heavy and create an action plan that supports you without adding to your overwhelm. We'll use your fitness and wellness goals to help you feel calm, clear, and grounded amid uncertainty.
The elephant may still be in the room tomorrow, but you don't have to face it alone.
Click here to check out the schedule.
Read more from Heather Williams
Heather Williams, Certified Fitness Professional
Heather Williams is a certified fitness professional with 37 years of experience empowering women over 45, particularly executives and business owners, to prioritize their well-being and reclaim their vitality through her holistic approach to fitness. As the founder of Journey24EverFit, an online fitness platform, Heather offers personalized Fitness and Goal Coaching, as well as virtual fitness classes. Her unique methodology uses fitness as a foundation for daily self-care, combining physical fitness with mindset strategies to help women rediscover joy, boost their energy levels, and thrive in both their personal and professional lives. Heather's clients praise her for her flexibility, sincere dedication to her profession, and her positive energy and influence. With her expertise and passion, Heather is committed to ensuring that no woman is left behind on her journey to optimal wellness.
