Let's talk Wellness: Stress

We’re nearing the end of the year, and that tends to bring a lot more stress than normal. Between figuring out the perfect gifts, getting everything ready for your job before you take time off, and prepping for all the fun family drama that tends to creep up this time of year. 

I sat down to talk with Erin Wallen, a Stress Freedom coach, to learn more about stress management and how we can feel more at ease even when life feels so crazy.

So let’s talk all about stress!

Shaina: What does being a Stress Freedom coach mean? I think a lot of us hear that term and assume it means trying to get rid of stress completely.

Erin: To me, it means guiding women to see that ease isn’t just a luxury, it’s a power move. I’m not here to teach people how to avoid life’s challenges, but how to regulate their nervous system and shift their energy so stress doesn’t run the show.

A stress-free coach helps people come back home to themselves, where clarity, confidence, and calm naturally live.

Shaina: I love that. So what led you to become a Stress Freedom coach?

Erin: I started my career as a pharmacist, and I saw firsthand how stress was showing up in people’s bodies, everything from high blood pressure to burnout. At the same time, I was burning myself out from the constant hustle.

That’s when I realized: stress is not just an emotional weight, it’s a biological brake pedal. Once I learned how to regulate my nervous system and align my energy, everything changed. I knew I had to help other women do the same.

Erin Wallen, Stress Freedom Coach

Shaina: What’s one of the biggest myths about stress and stress management?

Erin: That stress is “bad,” and you just need to eliminate it. Stress is actually part of being human, and it can even be useful in small bursts.

The problem is when it becomes chronic and unrelenting. The goal isn’t to never feel stress; it’s to expand your capacity so stress no longer controls you.

 Shaina: And on the flip side, what’s one mistake you see people make when they try to manage their stress?

Erin: They go straight to the mindset work without addressing the body. You can’t out-think your biology.

If your nervous system is in fight, flight, or freeze, no amount of positive affirmations will help. You have to regulate first, then the mindset tools actually stick.

Shaina: I hear from so many women that self-care feels like “another thing to do.” How can we make it feel doable instead of pressure-y?

Erin: Redefine self-care as micro-moments instead of big productions. It can be sipping your coffee without your phone, stepping outside for two minutes of fresh air, or putting on music while you cook dinner. It doesn’t have to be a spa day; it’s about weaving regulation into daily life.

Shaina: For anyone reading this who feels overwhelmed today, what’s one simple thing they could do to feel less stressed?

Erin: Pause and take three slow, intentional breaths, longer on the exhale than the inhale. It seems so simple, but it signals to your nervous system that you’re safe, which can shift your whole state in less than a minute.

Shaina: That’s amazing. I love how simple it is, but you can immediately feel the change! What’s a small habit or mindset shift that makes the biggest difference in lowering stress?

Erin: Instead of asking “What do I have to do?”, ask “What would feel most supportive right now?” That one question shifts you from pressure into possibility.

Shaina: Sometimes we don’t even realize how stressed we are until something small sets us off. Are there any signs that tell us we’re more stressed than we realize?

Erin: Absolutely, being extra irritable with loved ones, struggling to focus, feeling “tired but wired” at night, or losing patience with little things. Those are often signs your nervous system is carrying more than you think.

Shaina: Do you have a go-to routine or ritual you lean on when life feels overwhelming?

Erin: Yes, I love a guided meditation or an energy-clearing practice. Sometimes I’ll even just step outside, put my hand on my heart, and remind myself: “I am safe. I am supported. I can move through this with ease.”

Shaina: I’m curious, if someone only has five minutes in a stressful day, what’s the best way for them to use that time?

Erin: Move your body and breathe. Shake out your arms, roll your shoulders, or take a brisk walk around the room while breathing deeply. That movement helps discharge stress chemicals and brings you back into your magic zone.

Shaina: And to wrap up, what’s one thing you personally do every day (or week) to keep stress in check?

Erin: Every day, I practice gratitude. It’s the fastest way I know to shift my nervous system into safety and joy. And every week, I make sure to carve out intentional time for rest, because rest is productive when it comes to creating the life you want.

Final Takeaway:

Thank you so much, Erin! It’s so empowering to see that managing our stress doesn’t have to be this whole production; it really can be as simple as making time to take deep breaths and adding in daily self-care practices.

If this conversation made you want to dive deeper into stress freedom, be sure to connect with Erin on Instagram. She’s always sharing tips on how to reset your stress so you can feel less stressed and calmer.

Let us know below what stood out to you the most or what you want to be covered in the next Q&A!