Have you ever felt like stress keeps piling on, even when there isn’t one big thing going wrong?

That used to be me.

I’d wake up already on edge. My mind would race, my body felt tense, and even simple daily tasks — like tidying the house or opening my laptop — felt overwhelming. I thought I was just failing at coping, or that I wasn’t strong enough.

Then I learned there was actually a name for this invisible weight: allostatic load.

What is Allostatic Load?

Allostatic load is the wear-and-tear our bodies and minds carry when we live under constant stress. It’s not just the stress of one bad day — it’s the accumulation of little pressures, expectations, and emotional strains that never fully get released.

Imagine carrying a backpack that you never take off. Each stressful thought, unresolved worry, or hidden belief is like a stone being dropped inside. Over time, the backpack gets heavier and heavier, until even the smallest step feels exhausting.

That’s what allostatic load does to us.

My “Aha” Moment

When I first came across this term in my training, I had a huge epiphany:

“I’m not broken — I’m carrying a load my body was never meant to carry on its own.”

That insight alone gave me so much compassion for myself. No wonder I was tired. No wonder I felt like I couldn’t switch off. My nervous system had been in fight-or-flight for so long that stress had become my “normal.”

The Subconscious Layer

What really surprised me was discovering how much our subconscious beliefs add to this load. Beliefs like:

“I must always be productive.”

“It’s not safe to rest.”

“I can’t let anyone down.”

Even when life looks fine on the outside, these hidden scripts keep the stress response switched on in the background.

For me, these beliefs were part of what kept me in burnout. I thought I just needed better strategies or more discipline. In reality, I needed to release the old programming my mind was holding onto.

Releasing the Weight

Through PSYCH-K® and other subconscious tools, I’ve been able to let go of some of those heavy “stones” in the backpack.

The result?

Tasks that once felt overwhelming — like housework or juggling multiple roles — now feel lighter. My nervous system isn’t stuck in fight-or-flight. I can breathe again, make clearer decisions, and actually feel present in my life.

It doesn’t mean stress disappears. But it means the weight doesn’t pile up the same way it used to.

A Gentle Reminder

If you’ve been feeling like you’re carrying an invisible load, you’re not alone — and you’re not weak. What you’re experiencing might just be allostatic load: the weight of accumulated stress.

Sometimes, just having language for it is the first step to releasing it.

And the beautiful part is, when you start lightening that load — whether through shifting beliefs, nervous system practices, or simply creating space for rest — life begins to feel less heavy.

✨ I’ll be sharing more about the tools and practices that have helped me release allostatic load through my new program, Release & Reclaim. For now, I just wanted to share this concept because it was such a powerful “aha” moment for me — and maybe it will be for you too.