https://laurieelian.com Updates from Laurie Elian https://laurieelian.com/blog/the-power-of-a-pause-how-moments-of-calm-can-change-your-day https://laurieelian.com/blog/the-power-of-a-pause-how-moments-of-calm-can-change-your-day <div>What if the calm you keep postponing isn&rsquo;t waiting somewhere in the future, but can be created in small moments throughout your day? This post explores why slowing down can feel so uncomfortable, how the nervous system learns to equate busyness with safety, and why even the briefest pause can begin to shift stress, overwhelm, and emotional reactivity. It also gently reveals how pausing can transform your relationship with food by creating space between impulse and choice. If you&rsquo;ve been feeling tired, rushed, or disconnected from yourself, this is a powerful reminder that peace may begin with one breath, one moment, and one simple pause.</div> Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:26:00 CDT https://laurieelian.com/blog/why-slowing-down-feels-so-hard-what-your-nervous-system-wants-you-to-know https://laurieelian.com/blog/why-slowing-down-feels-so-hard-what-your-nervous-system-wants-you-to-know <div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">You know the feeling&mdash;after rushing through another packed day, you finally sit down, only to notice your mind racing, your body tense, and a strange urge to stay busy. What if that restlessness isn&rsquo;t a personal flaw, but your nervous system doing exactly what it learned to do in a life full of constant demands? Many women discover that living in &ldquo;go mode&rdquo; for years makes true rest feel surprisingly uncomfortable, and that this same state often fuels cycles of emotional eating and self-criticism. Understanding how your body has adapted to stress can gently shift everything. There&rsquo;s a compassionate way forward that starts with small moments of safety rather than forcing yourself to relax.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div><br></div> Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:04:00 CDT https://laurieelian.com/blog/create-your-summer-calm-simple-ways-to-reduce-stress-and-restore-your-peace https://laurieelian.com/blog/create-your-summer-calm-simple-ways-to-reduce-stress-and-restore-your-peace <div>Summer can quietly push even the most capable women into overwhelm, especially when routines disappear and the nervous system is stretched thin. This post explores why feeling anxious, exhausted, scattered, or emotionally drained during a season that’s “supposed” to be fun is more common than you think—and not a personal failure. It also offers a refreshing definition of calm that fits real life, along with a few simple, grounding practices that can help you feel more present, supported, and at ease. If you’ve been craving more peace, less pressure, and a gentler way to move through summer, this is a read worth slowing down for.</div> Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:06:00 CDT https://laurieelian.com/blog/41226/gratitude-in-my-heart https://laurieelian.com/blog/41226/gratitude-in-my-heart <div><br></div>]]> Tue, 23 May 2023 10:44:00 CDT