The Day Stress Almost Cost Me My Life and How I Learned to Stop Worrying

Carolyn
Sep 24
3 min read

I used to work long hours, constantly chasing deadlines and trying to prove myself. I even appeared on television for a show, pushing my limits every single day. One day, during filming, I suddenly felt my heart racing, my blood pressure skyrocketing. That day, I realized I could have had a heart attack, I could have died. It was terrifying. In that moment, I knew something had to change. I couldn’t keep living like this, and I realized that if I wanted to truly help others, I first needed to help myself.

Stress doesn’t just affect your mind, it affects your body. Chronic worry, overwork, and constant pressure can lead to serious health issues, from insomnia and anxiety to heart problems. I learned this the hard way, and it forced me to take a step back and find real ways to manage stress before it managed me.

Understanding Why We Worry

Overthinking and constant stress aren’t signs of weakness—they’re signals from your body that something needs attention. Stress triggers physical responses like increased heart rate and blood pressure, which, over time, can damage your health. I thought I could handle everything, but my body reminded me in the scariest way possible that I couldn’t.

The first step in reducing stress is recognizing it. Awareness helps you respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.

How I Found Real Help

After that frightening day, I knew I needed more than just occasional relaxation. I needed a structured approach to reduce stress and manage my thoughts. That’s when I discovered Carolyn Barnes’ STOP IT Healing Membership.

This membership isn’t just about managing stress—it’s about transforming how you respond to it. It provides tools like hypnotherapy audios, NLP exercises, somatic healing, and live sessions. The combination of these practices helps retrain your mind to stay calm, focused, and resilient—even in the face of pressure.

Being part of a community of over 1,000 members also showed me I wasn’t alone. Sharing experiences, learning from others, and receiving guidance from experts made a huge difference in my journey.

Practical Steps I Took to Stop Worrying

Alongside guided support, I implemented small daily habits that transformed my stress response:

Mindful Breathing – Taking 5 minutes each day to focus on my breath helped calm my racing thoughts and reset my mind.
Journaling Worries – Writing down anxious thoughts allowed me to release them instead of letting them build up.
Movement & Exercise – Daily walks, yoga, and stretching released tension and boosted my energy.
Community Support – Talking to like-minded people and participating in supportive groups reminded me I wasn’t alone.

Some days, I still feel overwhelmed, but now I notice the stress, breathe, and let it go instead of letting it take control.

Why Support and Guidance Matter

Trying to manage stress alone can be exhausting. That’s why structured programs like the STOP IT Healing Membership are so powerful. They provide guidance, exercises, and a supportive community that helps you create lasting change.

For me, having access to tools, live sessions, and peer support made a difference I couldn’t achieve on my own. It’s not a quick fix, it’s a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Moving Forward: Living Intentionally

Stress will always be part of life, but it doesn’t have to control us. That day, I realized life is too precious to ignore our well-being. Through small daily practices, mindfulness, and the support of programs like the STOP IT Healing Membership, I’ve learned to breathe, focus, and live intentionally.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck in a cycle of worry, know that it’s possible to reclaim calm and confidence.