We all know that social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be a major source of stress. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, social media is one of the top sources of stress for Americans.

When most people think of the word "stress," they think of the pressures of work or school. But stress is actually a biological response to any kind of demand or challenge to the body, whether it's physical or psychological. When you experience stress, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol.

As I’ve learned to tune in and understand my needs for health and vitality, I’ve realized that I no longer want to do all the things. In fact, I don’t want to do most things! I want to experience stillness. I want to do less activity that depletes me of my energy and more of what fills me up.

That’s when I found the concept of slow living.

Since that trip, between personal vacations and work trips, I have gotten on many planes and taken countless trips. And I have refined my travel planning strategy to make planning and being on vacation nothing but delightful. That means less anxiety, fewer squabbles with my husband, and more time enjoying the destination. Keep reading for three ways that I have made travel planning less stressful:

We live super complicated lives. In fact, society tells us that this is how it’s supposed to be because it means that we’re being productive members of society. We are expected to be perpetually exhausted and be proud of ourselves for it.

There is so much noise in the wellness industry. An endless list of to-do’s in order to achieve health. That magic word that we all strive for. But what does health actually mean?

Our bodies are perfect machines that know exactly what they need to do in order to achieve homeostasis, but the constant “noise” of our lifestyles has caused us to forget how to listen to our bodies when they tell us something is off.

One of the biggest lessons that being a yoga student and teacher has taught me is that being focused on the present is a gift and that spending more moments in this state of presence changes you. It shifts the way you do things, your behavior, and your thought patterns.

Identifying my values is one of the personal development exercises I am most grateful for because the outcome is a confident, joyful woman who marches to the beat of her own drum and doesn’t give a f*ck anymore. And, omg, breaking news! People still like me! (maybe fewer people, but the RIGHT people)