When Stress Appears: A Gentle Pause for Yourself
It happens to all of us.
You feel overwhelmed.
You feel tired.
You’re staring at your computer screen and realize you’ve been reading the same sentence for five minutes.
You might even notice small moments of forgetfulness.
“Did I really just chop those two onions?”
Something inside you whispers:
Slow down.
This is what we often call stress.
And stress is not simply a problem to fix.
It’s usually a signal that something inside you is asking for attention.
A Simple Way to Pause When Stress Appears
If you notice stress building in your body, try something very simple.
Close your eyes for a moment.
Take one slow breath.
Then another.
If possible, step away from what you’re doing and find a quiet space. It could be at home, at work, or even outside for a few minutes of fresh air.
Sit down.
Feel your body being supported by the chair or the ground beneath you.
Notice the simple fact that something is holding you.
Let your shoulders soften a little.
Breathe again.
Even a small pause like this can help the nervous system begin to settle.
Listening to the Body
As you sit quietly, gently bring your attention to your body.
Notice what you feel.
Is your chest tight?
Are your shoulders tense?
Is there a headache forming?
Often our body notices stress before our mind does.
By simply becoming aware of physical sensations, we create space for emotions that may have been pushed aside during a busy day.
Stay curious.
There is nothing to fix right now.
Just notice.
When Emotions Begin to Surface
When we slow down enough, different feelings sometimes appear.
You may realize you’re still carrying frustration from an earlier conversation.
Or perhaps sadness from something that happened earlier in the week.
Sometimes emotions appear for no clear reason at all.
This is completely natural.
Feeling anger, sadness, or vulnerability is not a mistake.
It’s simply part of being human.
When we allow these feelings to move through us instead of pushing them away, something softens inside.
Energy that was held tightly begins to move again.
Letting Energy Move
Emotions are a form of energy.
When we are happy, we might feel like laughing, dancing, or calling a friend.
When we are stressed or upset, the body also wants movement.
But many of us have learned to suppress these signals.
Taking a few quiet moments to breathe and feel what is present allows that energy to move naturally.
And often, something surprising happens.
You feel a little lighter.
A little more present.
A little more like yourself again.
You showed up for yourself.
Support for Stress, Life Transitions and Relationships
Sometimes these pauses are enough to help us reconnect with ourselves.
Other times, ongoing stress, emotional overwhelm, or relationship challenges benefit from a supportive space to explore what is happening more deeply.
I offer counseling and relationship therapy in Stockholm and online, integrating mindfulness, somatic awareness, and relational approaches such as the Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy.
Sessions support individuals and couples in slowing down, understanding their inner patterns, and finding a more grounded way forward.
About Jivan
Jivan Dios is a Stockholm-based therapist based in Stockholm, offering counselling, meditation guidance, and relationship therapy in person in Vasastan, Stockholm and online.
Born to Greek parents and raised in Montreal, Canada, she studied Communication Arts before beginning her therapeutic path. Her work integrates meditation, somatic awareness, and relational approaches including Imago Relationship Therapy, the Gottman Method, Tantra, and Star Sapphire Inner Man / Inner Woman Energywork.
Jivan works with individuals and couples seeking greater presence, emotional understanding, and connection in their lives and relationships.
