How to Turn Stress Into Strengths

Empower Her Wellness

www.kindfulnesscoaching.com

As a Licensed Social Worker and Foster Parent, Jen brings a wealth of experience and dedication to guiding individuals toward achieving their goals and finding balance in their lives. As the founder of KINDfulness Coaching, she offers tailored coaching and consultation services designed to help foster parents and professionals manage stress, amplify their voices, and thrive. With 17 years of social work experience and a passion for mental health advocacy, Jen's compassionate and expert approach supports you in creating a fulfilling life and career.

Jen, the founder of Kindfulness Coaching, offers her insights on managing stress based on her social work background and personal experiences with burnout. She emphasizes that while stress is inevitable, individuals can choose their responses, advocating for proactive strategies to turn stress into strength. The discussion covers the emotional and relational impacts of stress, including symptoms like fatigue and irritability, and the challenges of decision fatigue.

Jen shares her struggles with decision-making and unhealthy food choices when overwhelmed, underscoring the importance of personalized routines and meal planning, although it may not suit everyone. She highlights her own morning routine for stress relief and stresses self-care practices tailored to individual needs over prescribed methods.

The conversation addresses the unique challenges faced by caregivers and foster parents, highlighting the importance of therapy and a “time audit” to prioritize self-care. Jen advocates for mindfulness and being present in daily activities to better understand stress sources, suggesting simple, joyful activities as effective self-care rather than conventional

treatments. A “nourishment menu” is proposed to help individuals identify joy-bringing activities during stressful times. Jen discusses the difficulties of balancing self-care with home responsibilities as a foster parent, emphasizing the importance of boundaries, communication, and support from partners.

This conversation touches on the pressures from social media that create unrealistic standards, stressing the need to model desired behaviors rather than trying to change others.

The complexities of fostering traumatized children and the emotional toll of temporary attachments are also explored. Jen expresses frustration with the lack of rights and support for foster parents, offering group coaching to improve wellness in agencies with high burnout rates.

Finally, the discussion highlights the need for new routines to combat chronic stress among professionals, particularly in social work and healthcare, who have faced significant challenges during the pandemic. Jen concludes by advocating for self-kindness and care amidst these struggles.