¶ Troubleshooting: High Stress

Two levers

1. Reduce baseline load (sleep debt, overcommitment).
2. Increase recovery speed (downshift tools + boundaries).

¶ Likely drivers

• Sleep debt and late light/screens
• Too many commitments (no recovery blocks)
• Isolation (no emotional off-ramp)
• Excess caffeine or alcohol
• Unclear priorities (everything feels urgent)

¶ First fixes (today)

1. Do a 2-minute downshift (slow breathing, short walk).
2. Define “the next smallest step” in one sentence.
3. Protect your evening shutdown (lights down + phone away).

Then run: Stress & Mental Fitness Starter Kit.

¶ Workload redesign (this week)

• Add one “no meeting” recovery block.
• Say no to one low-value commitment.
• Schedule two touchpoints (see Social Health Plan).

¶ When to escalate

¶ Deep dives

• Stress Management
• Mindfulness & Meditation