I spent most of this month in a “moderate” (AKA yellow) stress level according to my watch instead of a green, low stress or blue, relaxed state.
If I’m honest, most of my spring was like this as well with my mom having surgery to combat cancer in April and the inconsistency in schedule that the end of the school year brings in May. And far too many times in July I got “high stress” notifications on my watch.
So I started paying attention. 🤓
Since stress resilience/nervous system support is my business, most of the time I feel as though I’m doing pretty good by using the tools I teach in class and to clients.
When it comes to stress management to regulate your nervous system, there’s a lot of ideas out there these days. But I want to help you as quickly as possible, so here are some do’s and don’ts to help you avoid letting your stress levels stay in the moderate zone for too long in the future.
📅Do schedule planned downtime or reset time, weekly, and especially after life event preparations and execution. Don’t think you can jump right back into life after returning home from summer vacation, living through county fair, or planning that major summer get-together without a pause to reset your system.
🧘♀️Do cultivate a regular routine for short nervous system resets throughout your day and week. Don’t depend on the once a year or quarter retreat to be the primary thing you do to support your nervous system.
🌳Do co-regulate with nature’s rhythm and other humans doing similar self-work live and in-person. Don’t think you can go it alone all the time – your wounds were created by being in relationship with others; therefore, your healing needs the energy and regulation of community nervous systems to evolve and transform.
When these are in place, this is the result…
My stress level after recommitting to planned and regular nervous system resets
This is proof that even if you’ve fallen off the bandwagon of implementing regular and steady nervous system support, your body does indeed remember when you return and responds accordingly.
Hope this helps you! Hit reply if you need any further help.
Cheers,
Cathy 💚🙏
P.S. Want to honor all three of these “do’s” this weekend? Sunrise Yoga is happening this Saturday, July 25, at 8:00 AM at Cordova Park. Registration is just $15 and happens through the Marion County Conservation website. Grab it here.
5:30 AM • All levels welcome Somatic Reset blends gentle somatic movement and yoga to support awareness, release tension, and reconnect with your body.
THURSDAY -The Weekly Breath Reset (Virtual)
8:30 AM • 30-minute virtual breath work Your breath has the power to change how you experience stress. Harness that power of your breath to start your day with intention.
SATURDAY – Yoga + Breath Work
8:30 AM • All Levels Welcome This class is generally blend of a flow-based practice and a restorative/yin practice.
MONDAY – Restorative/Yin Practice
5:30 PM • All levels welcome A restorative class with longer held postures & mindful breathing to build stress resiliency & bring balance to your fast-paced life.
WEDNESDAY – Yoga + Breath Work Flow
8:30 AM • All Levels Welcome Active, flow-based practice integrating strength, balance and mobility. Intentional breath work practices included.
Special Events:
SATURDAY, JUN 13 – Yoga in the Park – Free Childcare Available!
8:30 AM • Veteran’s Park
Yoga in the Park is BACK this Saturday — bring a friend and both of you practice for the price of one! Just $20 for two, no registration needed.
Please bring a mat or blanket to practice on. Other yoga props will be provided. 💥Now offering FREE childcare during class. Bring your little(s) and a trained babysitter will entertain while you have some much needed self-care.💥
Sunrise Yoga, courtesy of Marion County Conservation
SATURDAY, JUL 25 – MCCD Sunrise Yoga at Cordova Park
8:00 AM • Cordova Park, 1378 Highway G-28, Otley IA 50214 • All ages and levels
MCCD and Cairn Yoga & Wellness are teaming up for a grounding morning yoga practice at Cordova Park. While the sun may already be shining, this class invites you to greet the day with mindful movement and breath—helping you steady yourself amidst the height of summer’s expansive energy. After yoga spend some time taking a quiet walk through the woods or take in the view from the tower.
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE – Personalized Somatic Coaching & Stress Resilience Training
TBD • At your location or at the studio In these sessions I guide groups through practical, embodied practices—like breath work, mindfulness, gentle movement, and/or emotional awareness—to build stress resilience. Each session offers simple, effective tools to help participants reset, regulate, and respond with greater calm and clarity in everyday life.
The podcast:
Listen to Health Harmony Happiness with Cathy and get show notes at CairnYogaWellness.com/Podcast or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
