Food For Your Soul: Dawn McGee
Who doesn’t want a high-positivity, low-stress life? And sometimes life throws us a curveball.
I recently had foot surgery, and let me tell you—no matter how prepared I felt, there was still a little stress leading up to it. It’s completely normal! Any surgery, big or small, can stir up a mix of emotions. In fact, life is full of changes and events of all sizes that can cause stress. That’s why I believe it’s so important to create a life that balances stress and positivity. In this blog, I’m sharing a few tips to help you cultivate that life.
4 Tips For Cultivating A High-Positivity, Low-Stress Life:
1. Shift Your Perspective:
When things don’t go according to plan, it’s easy to let stress and negativity creep in. But instead of focusing on what you can’t control, choose to look at what you can. When I had surgery, I was forced to slow down. I couldn’t do the things I love (I really missed pickleball). But instead of focusing on all the things I was missing, I found ways to shift my perspective to the positive: I could use that free time to do things I didn’t normally have time to do.
“Whether it’s a temporary restriction like staying off your feet or something longer-term, knowing your own limits is important.”
So I thought about it: maybe I’ll spend more time cooking and experimenting with new recipes. Perhaps I’ll dive into a good book, tackle a project I’ve been putting off, or finally organize my digital photos. I shifted my perspective to realize that recovery isn’t just about resting my body; it’s also an opportunity to shift gears and try something different. So that’s what I did!
2. Work With Your Limitations:
Whether it’s a temporary restriction like staying off your feet or something longer-term, knowing your own limits is important. For my clients, this means helping them respect boundaries set by their healthcare team. If you work as a HealthPro, your role is to understand these limitations for your clients and explain why they’re important.
If you’re learning to work within your own limitations, it may mean learning that your body can only handle walking a mile, even though you want to be able to walk three. Or maybe it means accepting that you need a nap, even though you have a long list of things to do. Don’t get wrapped up in the negativity that can come with this. Just accept your current limitations and keep moving forward.
3. Meditate:
In moments of stress, meditation helps me stay grounded. It helps me to lower my stress, let go of negativity, and feel more in control. Now, before you picture me sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, and humming “om” in a serene trance—let me be real with you. I can’t sit like that. And that’s okay!
For me, meditation is as simple as listening to a 10-minute guided meditation before bed. I’m a big fan of Peloton’s sleep meditations, and I always pick an instructor with a calming, even-toned voice. You can also find guided meditations on YouTube, Spotify, or any podcast platform. I set the volume low, let my mind relax, and nine times out of ten, I’m asleep before the meditation even finishes.
This has been a huge shift for me. I used to struggle with falling asleep because my brain was constantly running through to-do lists, worries, and plans. But incorporating meditation into my bedtime routine has helped me fall asleep faster and improve the quality of my rest—which, as we know, is crucial for stress management and recovery.
4. Reflexology & Bodywork -The Physical Release Of Stress:
One of my favorite stress-relief tools is the MELT Method mini foot treatment. Every morning, I use it to roll out the bottom of my feet, and there’s this one specific pressure point that, when I hit it, I can feel my stress melting away.
Now, I’m not a reflexology expert, but I do know that stress can be stored in the body as physical tension, and releasing that tension can have a huge impact on both physical and emotional well-being. That’s why I recommend foam rolling, MELTing and other bodywork as a form of stress relief!
Here are a few low- and no-cost bodywork techniques you can try at home:
- MELT Method (I use this one!).
- Foam rolling tight areas like your shoulders, back, or legs.
- Using a massage ball to work through knots.
- Stretching or gentle movement to release built-up tension.
The mind-body connection is real and bi-directional—when you release physical stress, the emotional stress often follows. If you’re a HealthPro working with clients, helping them incorporate bodywork techniques can be a game-changer for their recovery and overall well-being.
“The mind-body connection is real and bi-directional..”
Ask For Help:
You don’t have to do it alone! Whether you are facing a big change in your life or simply need help handling the negativity that comes with life’s daily stresses, it’s okay to ask for help–from a friend, your family, or a professional.
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About The Author:
Dawn McGee is a Nutrition Evangelist and Lazy Cook. She is super passionate about putting the fun back into being healthy and does that by teaching women how to eat to serve their body, brain, and soul so that they can get off the sidelines and back to doing all of the things that bring them joy. She works with women who are ready to make their health a priority and just need someone to help them get started and guide them through the process.
Dawn has been coaching clients in person, online, in groups, and in a 1:1 capacity for more than a dozen years. Prior to becoming a nutrition and fitness coach, she spent over 25 years in the high-tech industry, so she truly understands the life of busy professional women.
Are you a fellow professional in the fitness or wellness industry? Did you know that Dawn spent 35+ years honing her skills in sales, marketing, and business strategy–and 20+ years in the Wellness industry? Now she is using what she knows to support entrepreneurs like you. If you’re ready to move into the next phase of your business journey, schedule a complimentary call with Dawn here or email her at dawn@dawnmcgee.guru
