Let’s be real—most of us have been taught that stress is bad, cortisol is the enemy, and we just need to push through.

But what if stress isn’t the problem? What if the real issue is how we’re managing it?

I created the S.T.R.E.S.S. Model to help high-performing women understand what’s really going on in their bodies. Instead of fighting your stress, this framework helps you work with it, using your body’s natural rhythms to fuel your days, recover better, and finally feel like yourself again.

The Three Foundational Hormones

Before we dive into the S.T.R.E.S.S. acronym, let’s set the record straight: most women focus on estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone when something feels off.

But the three hormones that often hold the most power over your day-to-day experience are:

• Cortisol (your stress hormone)

• Insulin (your blood sugar regulator)

• Oxytocin (your feel-good connection hormone)

When these three are regulated, the rest tends to fall into place. Let’s start with cortisol.

S — Systems Check

Cortisol is what gets you out of bed in the morning. It spikes naturally to help you wake up, assess your energy, and get going.

But if you’re waking up exhausted, hitting snooze repeatedly, or feeling like you’ve already run a marathon before your feet hit the floor—your systems check may be out of sync.

Your body is designed to follow a daily rhythm. When you honor that rhythm, you’ll find it easier to wake up, stay focused, and fall asleep without the mental gymnastics.

T — Throttle

Think of throttle as your “go juice.” It’s how your body moves from one part of the day to the next, using short bursts of energy instead of staying stuck in overdrive.

When your stress levels stay too high, your nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode. You might feel wired but tired, overcommitted but unmotivated.

You’re not lazy—you’re misfiring.

What you need is better control over your energy output throughout the day, so you’re not always in launch mode.

R — Recovery

True healing happens in recovery—not when you’re crossing things off your to-do list.

Recovery is sleep. It’s stillness. It’s rest that actually restores you. But if you’re lying awake at night, waking up in the middle of the night, or feeling like your brain won’t shut off… your recovery system may be overwhelmed.

When cortisol doesn’t drop properly, melatonin (your sleep hormone) doesn’t rise. And without that handoff, your nervous system can’t fully reset.

E — Energy

Energy isn’t just about motivation—it’s about cellular health and blood sugar regulation.

If you get hangry, crash mid-afternoon, or rely on caffeine to get through the day, your energy system may be out of balance.

Start with breakfast. A balanced meal with fat, protein, and carbs in the morning helps your body regulate blood sugar and prevent those intense dips later on.

S — Sugar (Insulin)

Insulin is your fuel manager. It keeps you steady, focused, and able to ride the natural ups and downs of your day.

When blood sugar dips, cortisol rises to compensate. And that cycle—spike, crash, spike again—creates long-term stress on the body.

Learning to stabilize your blood sugar is one of the fastest ways to regulate your mood, energy, and cravings.

S — Sex (Oxytocin)

The final S is all about oxytocin—your connection and pleasure hormone.

Whether it comes from physical touch, laughter, joy, or a meaningful conversation, oxytocin helps you feel safe. It’s what keeps you emotionally steady, especially when life gets chaotic.

You don’t need a full-body massage to tap into it. Small moments of genuine connection and joy are more than enough to give your system the grounding it needs.

Your Mission, If You Choose to Accept It…

So, how do you launch your day with less burnout and more balance?

✅ Check in with your energy each morning.
✅ Give yourself permission to rest and recover without guilt.
✅ Fuel your body with intention—not urgency.
✅ Pay attention to what your body is really asking for.

You’re not broken. You’re biologically brilliant.

And with the right tools, you can move through your day with clarity, energy, and resilience.