Why Stress Is the Silent Root of Dis-ease & How to Start Healing Today
For many of us, stress has become a constant, especially after the last few years on the planet. Whether you're an overworked and exhausted professional, a parent juggling responsibilities as well as our kids mental health challenges or a spiritual seeker feeling lost & disconnected from yourself, the weight of stress impacts us more deeply than we often realize.
And here’s the truth: chronic stress is one of the most overlooked causes of illness! From anxiety and insomnia to digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, weight challenges, and autoimmune flare-ups, in my opinion, stress is often a key factor in preventing the body’s ability to heal itself.
But the good news is that your healing can begin today. With awareness and a few simple self-regulation practices, you can start to reclaim your peace, rebalance your nervous system, and begin the journey toward whole-body wellness.
The Hidden Cost of Stress on Your Body and Soul
Stress isn’t just a feeling. It’s a physiological state that changes how your body functions. When we’re in a constant state of sympathetic nervous system response commonly known as "fight or flight", due to chronic stress from work, relationships, or emotional traumas, our bodies are less able to come back into the healing space (called parasympathetic nervous system response, aka rest & digest).
Here’s what chronic stress can do:
Suppress your immune system functions making you more vulnerable to illness.
Disrupt your digestion and gut health, leading to bloating, IBS, or nutrient malabsorption.
Elevate inflammation and pain in the body.
Interfere with hormonal balance, making weight loss feel impossible.
Affect mood and sleep, leading to anxiety, brain fog, exhaustion & burnout.
impact your ability to connect spiritually, making you feel lost or ungrounded.
When we are constantly stressed, we can't heal. We stay stuck in survival mode instead of shifting into the rest, digest, and repair state, & this is where true healing happens.
Step One: Awareness Is the Beginning of Healing
Most of us are so used to being stressed that it feels "normal." But the first step to change is awareness.
Try this simple practice right now:
Stress Check-In Exercise
Pause and take a deep breath.
Ask yourself: On a scale from 1 to 10, how stressed do I feel right now?
Close your eyes and scan your body. Where are you holding tension? Shoulders? Jaw? Belly?
Place a hand on your heart and whisper: "It’s okay to slow down. I am safe. I am calm. I choose peace."
Doing this a few times a day can help you build awareness of your baseline stress levels and gently invite in a sense of calm.
How to Start Regulating Your Stress (Naturally)
Here are a few of my favourite holistic tools to begin shifting out of stress and back into balance:
1. Conscious Breathwork
Breath is your direct link to the nervous system. When you slow your breath, your body receives the message that you are safe.
Try this:
Box Breathing
Inhale for 4…
Hold for 4…
Exhale for 4…
Hold for 4…
Repeat for 1-2 minutes, or until you feel more calm & centred.
2. Nature Connection
Even a short walk barefoot in the garden, sitting under a tree, or standing in sunlight helps your body recalibrate and release cortisol (the stress hormone).
3. Soothing Herbal Allies
Herbs such as ashwagandha, lemon balm, passionflower, and holy basil can gently support the nervous system and bring emotional ease. (Always consult a qualified herbalist, you’re welcome to book a session if you’re curious to find out how these herbal remedies can help you release stress, anxiety and more!)
4. Nervous System Tracking
At least once a day, ask yourself:
Am I feeling stressed or anxious? Rate the sensations out of 10 (10 being really stressed or anxious)
Notice the sensations (try not to label them) and let your body know that you are safe.
What is one small thing I can do to feel more grounded right now?
This is how we begin to rewire the stress response, through small, repeated acts of care and awareness.
You Deserve to Feel Safe, Calm, and Whole
If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, burnout, or chronic health symptoms that no doctor can explain, please know you’re not broken. Your body is simply asking for support, for stillness, for space to heal.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Through my holistic offerings, Reiki healing, herbal remedies, intuitive coaching, and sound therapy, I hold sacred space for deep, transformative healing. Together, we’ll uncover the root causes of your stress and create a healing path that feels nurturing, empowering, and aligned with your soul.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Download my free guided meditation here or
Join one of my twice a week live online meditation classes from the comfort of your own home! Click here to book your spot!
Book a 1:1 Healing Session
Let’s explore what’s keeping you in survival mode—and start shifting into a state of calm and clarity. Book Now
Remember: Healing doesn’t happen by doing more. It happens when you choose to slow down, tune in, and soften into your body’s wisdom.
Look forward to supporting you along your healing journey!
Book your personalised holistic healing session today:
www.sherylhockey.com.au/book
Let’s work together to bring your mind, body, and soul back into beautiful balance.
Abundant Blessings, Sheryl
Holistic Herbalist | Reiki Master Teacher | Meditation Community Leader