You Don’t Need Another Meditation App — Try This Science-Backed Stress Fix Instead

Let’s be real. Running a business means juggling approximately 7,342 things at once. Between deadlines, client fires, and that ever-growing to-do list, it’s no wonder we sometimes feel like we’re drowning in stress. Meditation apps are all the rage from Calm to Headspace, and while they’re useful for what they do (i.e., help you meditate if that’s your jam), they’re not the stress silver bullet we often hope they are when we hit download. And many people struggle to use them consistently. Is there another option? So glad you asked!

When stress really hits me, sleep is the first casualty. Then comes the fake productivity spiral. You know, refreshing my email for the 847th time, hoping there won’t be anything there so I can feel like I “did something.” 

But what if I told you there’s a research-backed way to handle all this pressure without turning into a stress ball or sacrificing your sanity?

I recently dove into research from New Ideas in Psychology that completely changed how I think about stress management. The secret? Strategic playfulness.

Now, I’ll admit: I was skeptical. When I first saw “playfulness” as a stress solution. I thought “yeah, right.” I wouldn’t have connected any of what I do, and certainly not my puzzle-solving obsession or my family’s dark humor with something called “playfulness.” But stick with me, because this isn’t what you think.

More Actionable Breakdowns

Did you miss one of our previous breakdowns? Here are some you might find helpful.

Future-Proofing You: Adapting to Thrive in the Age of Distraction

Are you constantly battling between productivity and distraction in the digital age? As a business owner or freelancer, your smartphone is your lifeline, but could it also be hindering your success? Discover how the digital revolution is rewiring our brains and transforming our behavior. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to master your digital tools and unleash your full potential in the modern business landscape.

Think Smarter, Not Harder: How to Implement Lessons Learned For Business Growth According to Neuroscience

Your daily experiences, interactions, and projects are shaping your mind and influencing your success. By understanding how your brain decides what to remember, forget, and transform into core skills, you can harness the power of experiential learning to skyrocket your business and optimize your life. Learn how to train your brain the right way to think smarter, not harder.

How “Vacation Mode” Unlocks Your Prioritization Ninja (Hint: it’s not about self-care)

I have to admit that I don’t remember where I read the actual term “vacation mode” for the first time but suffice it to say I did not invent it. We could even call it the “vacation phenomenon”. I know most think of “vacation mode” as that feeling of being on vacation and that’s not what I mean here…but whatever you want to call it, I am capitalizing on it now and it also just came up in a discussion in virtual coworking in the inner circle. PLUS, the great news is you don’t need a postponed wedding to use this trick…So let’s get to it. 💪

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I hope you found this valuable!

Wishing you much productivity!

- Jenae :)