Why I Didn’t Realize How Stressed I Was

The day started with excruciating neck pain that shot down my arm, compounded by a feeling of exhaustion. I took a Motrin and powered through, starting at 6 a.m. with securing supply teachers, getting my kids ready for school, and then heading to work to tackle whatever issues arose. I raced around the building, feeling completely in control and handling everything. “I genuinely didn't feel stressed or bothered—I thought....I had this." However, my body was telling a different story. When my massage therapist asked, "Are you stressed?" I immediately replied, "No, I'm fine." She responded, "Well, that is not what your body is saying." Even my jaw was tense. It was a wake-up call: even though I thought I was coping and dealing with everything—and didn't feel stressed—my body was holding onto every single thing I was doing. I wasn't taking time to let go or exhale, and my body was suffering the consequences.