Dear stoics,
As you might have heard, April is Stress Awareness Month. We figured there's no better time to check in on you today. So, how are you doing?
Stress is something most of us experience and carry through our lives. It shape-shifts constantly: sometimes it's the big obvious stuff, sometimes it's a quiet anxious thought. Either way, it's worth paying attention to. So today, we'd like to use this letter as a space to do exactly that.
Here are some things that actually help. Sure, they might be obvious and simple, but why not try them out anyway?
Notice what's actually stressing you. Sounds obvious, but we often skip this step. Is it something short-term, like a deadline? Or something longer-running? Naming it clearly is already half the work.
Plan a little before a tough day. A quick to-do list, knowing your route, setting aside something enjoyable at the end — small acts of preparation create structure, and structures calm us down.
Break things down. If something feels too big to start, make it smaller! One tiny piece, done. Then the next. And don’t forget to give yourself credit when you get there.
Focus on what you can actually do. Some things are outside our control — and fighting those drains us most. Find one thing you can act on, and start there.
Look on the bright side. Each day, try to note three things that went okay or felt good. It's not forced positivity — it's training your attention.
Say it out loud. Talk to someone, write something down: yes, journaling really does wonders. You can even draw, why not? Getting stress out of your head and into some external form almost always helps.
Breathe, intentionally. A few slow, deliberate breaths can genuinely shift how your body feels in a hard moment. Stoic app has some great breathing exercises and meditations. Try them out!
Protect your sleep and healthy habits. Sleep is where everything begins. And the usual suspects — nutritious food, movement, less alcohol — really do matter. If you're working on sleep, you have to check out the On Sleep collection in Stoic. You can even go there now.
You don't have to do all of these at once. Pick some, or even one, and try it this week. That's already something.
Yours truly,
The Stoic App Team
The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.
William James
Each day until Sunday, you'll find a new journaling prompt waiting for you in the app. They're designed to make you stop and actually look at your life as it's happening.
This week, we’ll find out what happens when we stop skipping ahead.
We spend a surprising amount of time living everywhere except the present. We’re constantly replaying yesterday, planning tomorrow, or worrying about the future events that may never arrive.
What does it mean to be truly here? What are you missing while you're busy being somewhere else in your head? Let's find out together!
