Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

If you’ve been following along lately, you know I’ve been talking a lot about stress—how it shows up, how it affects us, and most importantly, how we can manage it. And a big reason for that? Life’s been throwing some curveballs my way (and maybe yours too). It’s in those moments that I find personal experience becomes one of the best teachers—not only for me, but for the clients I work with.

I want to talk about what to do when you’ve fallen off track, even though you know what to do. You’ve got tools in your stress-relief toolbox, but maybe:

• You used them inconsistently.
   

• You used them for a bit, then got overwhelmed.
   

• Or maybe... you never really used them at all.
   

And now, you’re not feeling great. You’re tired. Bloated. Wired but exhausted. Maybe your sleep is off, your patience is thin, and your energy is nowhere to be found.

So—what comes next?

Start with the Next Right Step

There’s no magic fix here. No perfect hack or secret strategy. Just this: the next decision you make—make it one that serves you.
That’s it. That’s where we start.

When the cookie jar starts calling your name, ask yourself:
Can I make a different choice right now? Maybe you move your healthy snacks to a more visible spot.  Maybe you hide the tempting stuff for a bit—not forever, but until you’re in a better place.                                                                                                                                                               

Stressful seasons sometimes call for unusual solutions—and that’s okay. There’s no one-size-fits-all tip. That’s why we have toolboxes full of options.

Go Back to the Basics

Here are a few ways you can start reclaiming your routine:

• Clear the distractions that keep derailing you.
   

• Pre-pack snacks or meals so you're not making choices when you're depleted.
   

• Call in a friend to help hold you accountable or simply check in.
   

Having someone who cares enough to say, “How are you doing today?” can be the very thing that keeps you grounded.

Look at What’s Worked Before

The tools you used on a past journey—whether it was for fitness, mindset, career growth, or stress—can often be translated into this one.

So take a minute. What’s already in your toolbox that could help you today? What’s one small, kind decision you can make that helps bring you back to a healthy rhythm?

You don’t have to fix everything at once. Just begin.
One decision at a time. One moment of self-care at a time.