180: How to Recover From Stress Naturally: A Faith-Based Approach to Healing Your Nervous System

Podcast Show Notes | Christian Wellness & Stress Recovery Introduction

Do you feel constantly stressed, wired, tired, or unable to truly rest — even when you slow down?

In this episode, Alexandra shares a faith-fueled, holistic approach to stress recovery and explains why many women never fully recover from stress in the first place. We rush, suppress emotions, push through exhaustion, and repeat the cycle day after day — leaving our bodies stuck in fight-or-flight mode.

This episode is for Christian women who feel overwhelmed, anxious, chronically stressed, or physically depleted and want a biblical, body-wise way to restore calm, energy, and clarity — without relying on numbing distractions or unhealthy coping mechanisms.

You’ll learn:

• Why stress recovery matters just as much as stress management

• How movement and focused activities help your body exit fight-or-flight

• What God’s design for stress, rest, and healing really looks like

• Practical, natural ways to help your nervous system reset

Why We Don’t Recover From Stress (And Why It Matters)

Many women experience stress all day long — at work, at home, in relationships — but never give their body permission to release it.

When stress is left unresolved:

• The nervous system stays stuck in fight-or-flight

• Digestion, sleep, and emotional regulation suffer

• Fatigue, anxiety, and chronic symptoms begin to appear

God designed the body to be resilient — but not to stay in survival mode forever.

How Focused Movement Helps the Body Release Stress

Alexandra shares a personal story about noticing stress symptoms (like eye twitching) disappear after activities like martial arts training, even when she didn’t feel excited about going beforehand.

Why does this work?

Certain activities:

• Force your brain into the present moment

• Activate stress briefly, then allow it to fully resolve

• Signal safety to the nervous system after the activity ends

This “closed stress loop” allows the body to finally relax.

The Science Behind Stress Relief and the Nervous System

Focused, structured activities such as:

• Martial arts (Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai)

• Partner dancing

• Rock climbing

• Playing musical instruments

• Chess or strategic games

• Escape rooms

…can help:

• Improve focus, attention, and executive function

• Elevate mood and endorphins

• Reduce anxiety

• Support emotional release (yes, even crying afterward)

These activities don’t allow rumination — the brain must stay present.

Why Scrolling and Numbing Don’t Heal Stress

Many people cope with stress by:

• Excessive social media scrolling

• Alcohol or other numbing behaviors

• Avoidance instead of release

These habits do not complete the stress cycle — they only delay healing.

True recovery requires helping the body recognize safety again.

Biblical Perspective: Fight-or-Flight, Rest, and God’s Design

Alexandra reflects on how fight-or-flight became necessary after sin entered the world, but it was never meant to dominate our lives.

Jesus invites us into rest:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

The goal isn’t to eliminate stress entirely — it’s to move out of survival mode and back into rest and trust.

You’re Not Too Old to Heal or Try Something New

One of the biggest lies women believe:

“I’m too old to start something new.”

The body is adaptable. Strength, coordination, and resilience can be rebuilt at any age.

Ask yourself:

• What did I love doing when I was younger?

• What challenges my brain and body in a healthy way?

• What helps me feel calm, grounded, and alive afterward?

Healing often begins with movement, curiosity, and courage.

Time-Stamped Highlights

00:00 – Why most women never recover from stress 01:05 – Stress symptoms showing up in daily life 02:28 – Why focused movement changes the brain 03:20 – Mental and emotional benefits of martial arts 05:44 – Fight-or-flight vs. stress release 06:42 – Why structured dancing works similarly 09:35 – Emotional release and nervous system safety 12:01 – Non-movement stress relief options 14:28 – Biblical reflection on stress and survival 15:55 – Numbing doesn’t heal 16:24 – You’re not too old to start again 18:18 – Encouragement to find your path to recovery

Key Takeaways

• Stress recovery is just as important as s