From Misaligned to Mindful: A Journey Back to Balance

We often talk about stress in terms of how it feels mentally—overwhelming, exhausting, nonstop. But what we don’t always talk about is how much stress gets stored in the body. And when we carry too much, for too long, it starts to throw us off physically and emotionally. If you’ve been feeling like you’re out of sync, disconnected from yourself, or just “off,” this might be why.

Let’s talk about the signs, the deeper meaning, and how to start realigning—both physically and personally.

1. Stress Doesn’t Just Stay in Your Head—It Lives in Your Body

Chronic stress doesn’t just create mental fatigue—it literally reshapes the way we carry ourselves. Tight shoulders, clenched jaws, shallow breathing, low back pain… none of these are just coincidence. Over time, our nervous system stays on high alert, which leads to muscle tension, poor posture, and physical misalignment. You might notice you're always leaning forward, like you're bracing for the next thing. Or you can't relax your jaw, even when you're trying to wind down.

This isn’t just about physical discomfort—it’s your body’s way of signaling that something deeper needs your attention.  I often see this in my clients who have experienced trauma or distressing events, but who have ignored these physical symptoms and have not connected how these symptoms are a direct result from events in their life.

2. When Your Life Is Out of Alignment, Your Body Will Let You Know

Here’s the thing: our bodies are often more honest than our minds. You might be telling yourself you’re “fine” while continuing to overextend, overfunction, or say yes when you really mean no. But your body knows better. It will start to speak up in the form of exhaustion, chronic pain, digestive issues, or feeling disconnected from yourself entirely.

Often, this misalignment physically mirrors what’s happening emotionally. If you’re constantly accommodating others at the expense of your own needs, if you are avoiding reality, if you're living on autopilot, or pushing through things that don't align with your values—it makes sense that your body feels off. You're living out of alignment with what actually sustains you.

3. Getting Back in Alignment—From the Inside Out

So how do you start shifting back into alignment? It’s not adding another thing to your to-do list or taking a bubble with a glass of wine.  It starts with noticing. Paying attention to what your body is telling you and getting honest about where in your life things are no longer working. Here are a few starting points.

Here are a few starting points:

• Do a values check-in: Are you living in a way that reflects what matters most to you—or just surviving the calendar?

• Set micro-boundaries: Tiny shifts, like pausing before committing or giving yourself permission to not explain your no, can have a big impact.

• Get back into your body: Stretch, walk, breathe deeply. Not to be productive, but to reconnect. The goal is to feel yourself again—not just function.

A personal Story

Let me share something personal that started when I signed up for a Babes Support Babes CEO challenge.  I realized I was operating in a way that wasn’t sustainable. Between professional work, home life, and chasing goals I had set for myself, I felt like I was not at my best. And even though I work with clients on alignment and boundaries every day, I knew I needed to take my own advice.

I paused. I journaled. I reflected. I made some hard choices around what could stay, what needed to shift, and how I was spending my time and energy. As an entrepreneur, I’m learning to give myself permission to move the timeline. Yes, there are trade-offs—sometimes financial, sometimes just not hitting a goal when I thought I would. But the shift toward living in alignment with my well-being is worth it.

And it wasn’t just about adjusting my calendar or shifting priorities. I had to look at what was happening physically. I booked an appointment with Michaelann Smink at It Is Time Health. She’s an integrative health coach based in San Antonio, TX.  Her expertise lies in therapeutic massage, physical therapy, personal training, lifestyle coaching, and education. I can honestly say she offers the absolute best massage. Yes, it was self-care, and it felt good to be on the receiving end for once, but it was also more than that. She gave me direct, specific feedback.

Her evaluation revealed things I hadn’t fully noticed: I needed to adjust how I was sitting in therapy sessions. She offered psychoeducation on posture, made hands-on tweaks, gave me stretches and exercises—but most importantly, she recognized that I had been holding a lot of stress in my body. And she was right. As a trauma therapist, even if I don’t take other people’s problems home with me, I still carry it in subtle ways. She knew it. She felt it.

She also emphasized the importance of doing intentional breathwork throughout the day—not just once in the morning or during a yoga class, but regularly. And so, I’m working on it. I’m becoming more mindful of it throughout my day. I will go back to see her tomorrow, and I hope she’ll see a difference. But more importantly, I already feel a shift.

Final Thoughts

The body and mind aren’t separate. When your personal life is out of sync, your body carries that burden. And when you start to realign—even in small ways—your nervous system, your posture, your energy, and your sense of self will begin to shift.

You don’t have to power through. You don’t need to earn rest or hold everything together just because you can. You have permission to listen, to adjust, and to reclaim the kind of alignment that helps you not just function—but feel well.

If this story resonates with you, and you’d like to explore how therapy can help you live in alignment, reach out on my contact page to schedule a free consultation.  I’d love to connect with you.