by One Playground
During our recent One Life Staff Summit, we were thrilled to welcome a number of inspiring guest speakers who generously shared their expertise with our team. The insights they offered were deeply impactful, leaving a lasting impression on staff, whether in their personal growth or professional development.
To continue spreading that wisdom, some of our speakers are now on hand to share their expert knowledge with you directly.
Meet Nic Monteforte
Nic Monteforte is a wellness advocate and stress management expert passionate about creating sustainable practices for a balanced life. Drawing from personal experience and years of guiding others, she helps people move away from burnout and towards calm, resilience, and fulfilment. Her holistic approach combines science-backed insights with the transformative power of mindful routines, making her a sought-after voice in the wellness industry.
Together with Nic, we’ve explored stress; what it really is, why we feel it, and practical strategies to help you regain control when life feels overwhelming.
What Exactly is Stress?
Stress is your body’s natural response to challenges, triggering a series of processes designed to keep you alert and prepared. Often referred to as the “fight or flight” response, this mechanism evolved to protect us in high-stakes situations. Your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, increasing your heart rate, sharpening your focus, and boosting your energy levels. While this is helpful in moderation, chronic stress can leave you feeling drained, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
But stress isn’t inherently bad. It’s less about stress itself and more about how your body manages it. This “adaptation energy” is like a battery; it’s finite, but you can recharge it with intentional practices.
Why Do We Feel Stressed and Overwhelm?
The causes of stress vary widely, from work deadlines to personal commitments or even trying to balance your fitness routine. However, they all boil down to one thing: an imbalance between the demands placed on you and the resources you have to meet them.
Nic explains that our modern lifestyles often keep us stuck in a constant task-driven mindset. This can leave little room for the deep rest our mind and body need to reset. Without moments of calm, you’re essentially running your stress battery on empty.
Another thing to consider? The memories and associations our brains form during stressful times. Nic notes that the way we store and react to these moments often shapes how we approach future challenges. The good news is, once you understand the why, you can work towards changing the how.
Nic’s 5 Steps to Manage Overwhelm
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Nic has shared these five practical steps you can take to break free from the cycle of stress and channel it into more manageable, productive energy.
1. Brain Dump and Prioritise
Sometimes your mind feels overwhelmed simply because there’s too much happening up there. Nic suggests a brain dump. “Get everything out of your head and onto paper. Once it’s all in front of you, you can start categorising and prioritising based on what will move the needle most towards your goals”.
Which tasks need action now, and which can wait? By simply seeing your workload clearly laid out, you might already feel a little lighter.
Nic’s Tip: “Apps like Trello or pen-and-paper planners can be your best friends when organising tasks into bite-sized, manageable chunks. There’s something powerful about seeing everything laid out in one place, it gives you perspective and clarity”.
2. Focus on One Thing at a Time
Nic reminds us of the power of taking just one thing at a time. While multitasking might feel productive, it often contributes to overwhelm. Instead, try choosing one task to focus on at a time. Whether it’s exercising, completing a work project, or making dinner, give it your full attention. “This technique is a game changer when it comes to cutting through the noise and focusing on what truly matters”.
Nic’s Tip: “Each day, ask yourself: What’s the one thing I can do that will make everything else easier or less necessary? Daily journaling or a simple task list with clear priorities can help you keep this focus sharp”.
3. Block and Batch Your Time
To avoid constantly switching between tasks, Nic suggests batching similar activities together. For instance, allocate certain times of the day for emails, workouts, or meetings. Similarly, try time-blocking your calendar for focused work or self-care sessions. By creating clear boundaries, you’ll protect your energy and maintain focus.
Nic’s Tip: “Use Google Calendar or a physical planner to block out time specifically for your high-impact tasks. Seeing these slots marked out helps keep you accountable. Within these blocks, keep similar tasks together and boost efficiency”.
4. Celebrate Small Wins
Often, we get caught up in the big picture and overlook the daily victories. Recognising small achievements builds momentum. Nic emphasises how celebrating moments of growth keeps you motivated and focused on positive results.
Nic’s Tip: “Reflect at the end of each day. What went well? What showed progress, no matter how small? Keep a simple journal or reflection log to track your progress. This practice of checking in with yourself regularly is a powerful way to refine your approach”.
5. Shift to Restorative Practices
Our busy lives often lead us to prioritise productivity over restoration. Nic says it’s essential to include calm and rest as part of your daily routine. Practices like Vedic meditation promote deep relaxation and give your nervous system the chance to recharge. These restful moments help your body release stored stress and become more resilient over time.
Nic’s Tip: “When life feels overwhelming, it’s often because we’ve forgotten the importance of rest. The truth is, our bodies and minds need time to recharge, just like any high-performance machine. Simple practices like deep breathing or even a brief walk outside can help. Make restorative moments a priority in your day and notice how quickly your energy, focus, and resilience return”.
The Power of Calm
Perhaps Nic’s most resonant teaching is that calm is not the absence of stress, but the ability to manage it sustainably. Stressful situations will continue to arise; that’s life. But by shifting the way we respond, whether through meditation, setting boundaries, or reflecting with intention, we stop stress from ruling our lives.
We challenge you to try one of Nic’s steps today. Maybe it’s writing out that cluttered to-do list or carving out five minutes for stillness. You might just find that these small changes lead to big shifts in how you feel and function each day.
Overcome your Overwhelm with Nic
“If you’re ready to take the next step in overcoming overwhelm, leading with calm, and unlocking your highest potential, I’d love to connect. Whether it’s through speaking, coaching, meditation, or mentoring, I’m here to help you create lasting change. You can easily reach out via my Contact Form, or if you’d like a more personalised conversation, you can schedule an Infinite Capacity Insights Call.
And if you’re looking to eliminate stress at its source and truly reclaim your energy, check out my book, Infinite Capacity, the book that ends burnout culture. This isn’t just about managing stress, it’s about erasing it completely. In it, I introduce the Stress Debt Economy™ framework, designed for high performers who want to break free from burnout and operate at their highest level without sacrificing success. Learn more and grab your copy here”.
