It is hard to try and de-stress when September often feels like a race. Back-to-school, routines shifting, calendars filling up—it’s so easy to get swept up in the frenzy. This year, I decided to take a different approach. I chose to de-stress, and I slowed down. I grounded myself. And I noticed the difference.

Here are some of the ways I chose presence over pressure this month and how I personally chose to de-stress:

• I returned to my meditation mat with the Insight Timer app.
• I treated myself to a holistic facial and experienced Brazilian lymphatic drainage massage with Julia, from The Julia Method.
• I swam in the ocean, lakes and river with friends and family.
• I took long forest walks with my dog.
• I allowed myself to sleep in and savor slow mornings.
• I chose a session in the sauna over intense workouts.
• I ordered groceries from instacart.ca.
• I purchased my birthday dinner from Whole Foods deli section.
• I made apple sauce with apples from a friend’s tree.
• I pickled and fermented cucumbers with friends, using cucumbers from Forstbauer Farm in Chilliwack.
• I experimented with sourdough recipes inspired by our Paris trip.

Of course, life wasn’t without stress. We had a water leak at the cabin, our oven broke (again) I hosted fundraisers, kept up with meetings, dinners, school lunches, soccer games, dental and hair appointments… the usual full life. But here’s the key:

I didn’t add “extra.”
I didn’t sign up for parent nights or PAC meetings.
I didn’t volunteer for snack duty or extra driving.
I said no to more dinners out when I was tired.

And that felt really good.

Why I chose to slow down

Stress isn’t just mental—it has a real physical impact. When we’re in constant “go” mode, our bodies release more cortisol. Over time, this can drive up blood sugar levels, increase nutrient turnover (meaning your body burns through key vitamins and minerals faster), and place extra strain on both gut and hormone balance (Black et al., 2017;). By slowing down, choosing gentler movement, and prioritizing rest, I wasn’t just giving myself a mental break—I was supporting my metabolism, digestion, and overall resilience.

This shift reminded me that sometimes balance isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing less. It’s about creating space to actually enjoy the things that matter most—connection, rest, nourishment, and a little bit of fun in the kitchen.

👉 In this month’s newsletter, I’m sharing two simple recipes that capture this slower September vibe: “my friend’s-apples” Apple Sauce and Fermented Cucumbers from Forstbauer Farm. Both are grounding, seasonal, and so satisfying.

If you’ve also felt pulled into the September whirlwind, maybe this inspires you to step back, breathe, and choose less frenzy, more presence.

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Further reading:
Stress Management – Part 1
Stress Management – Part 2

Curious about stress management? — I’d love to support you. Book a free Meet & Greet call today and let’s explore what’s right for you.