Dr. Gregory Jantz, who spoke at our Summer Institute this year, wrote Raising Boys By Design, with Michael Gurian, sponsored the Wonder of Parenting Podcast, and, with his wife LaFon, was a close friend of Michael and Gail Gurian, has just passed away from an accident with his car.  We are deeply saddened by his loss.

To point to his life-wisdom and to his legacy, we are publishing his most recent blog post on Stress, Anxiety, and Fear this week.  Gregg wrote more than 40 books, many of them bestsellers.  He was a man who helped people every day.  He was serving his community and family all the way to the end of his life.  Thank you, Gregg.  We miss you.

Dr. Jantz and LaFon founded The Center, A Place of Hope almost forty years ago.  Located in Edmonds, WA, it is an award winning treatment facility.

Hi Friends,

If you’ve found yourself lying awake at night, feeling the weight of too many responsibilities and not enough time, and concerned about heightened tensions at home and around the world, you are not alone.

According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 75% of Americans report experiencing symptoms of stress each month. It’s no wonder many of us feel like we’re living life stuck in “Red Alert” — always rushing, always burdened.

This month, I want to share with you some practical steps you can begin taking today to reduce stress and reclaim peace. But first, here are resources for you to share with others who might be dealing with persistent or overwhelming stress and burnout.

Below are stress-related blogs that you may find helpful:

Dealing with overwhelming stress at work

Stress and digestive troubles

Psychological impact of chronic stress

Understanding stress-related memory issues

Managing stress-induced hair loss

How stress affects women’s health

The psychological impact of financial stress

Understanding Stress: A Quiet Epidemic

We all experience some form of stress in our lives. And “stress,” or an adrenalin rush that accompanies it, can even elevate our ability to perform or escape danger. It is natural to feel stressed in challenging situations such as job interviews, school exams, heavy workloads, around job security, or conflict with family, friends or colleagues.

For many, that stress reduces and regulates over time as the situation improves, or as they learn to cope emotionally with the situation. What we are talking about today is that sense of unending, persistent, suffocating stress that feels like a constant in your day to day life. Referred as chronic, persistent stress, it can bring on a sense that you are not in control, that life is too much. It can swing from fits of rage, to debilitating depression and isolation.

Stress impacts every part of our being — mind, body, and spirit. It steals our sleep, dampens our joy, and strains our relationships. Worse yet, chronic stress can slowly erode our health over time. But the good news is that stress doesn’t have to control our lives.

If you or a loved one is struggling with overwhelming stress, fear, work burnout, or anxiety, we can help. Call Admissions today at 800.985.0270 to speak with a specialist.

Six Steps to Stress Less

Over the years, our treatment team and I have worked with countless individuals seeking relief from overwhelming stress. Through this journey, I’ve discovered six powerful steps that can help you regain balance:

1. Live Simply

Busyness doesn’t equal fulfillment. Take a look at your schedule, your obligations, even your possessions. Ask yourself, “What truly matters?” Simplifying your commitments and your surroundings creates the space your heart needs to breathe.

2. Live Organized

Without clear priorities, stress thrives. Living organized means intentionally setting your daily agenda — not just cramming it full of tasks, but making room for reflection, relationships, and rest.

3. Live Healthy

The basics matter: regular movement, nutritious food, and restorative sleep are powerful stress-busters. Taking care of your body is an act of stewardship, not selfishness.

4. Live Present

Many of us are weighed down not just by today’s challenges but by the unhealed wounds of the past. Learning to live fully in the present — and to let go of old burdens — is essential for emotional and spiritual freedom.

5. Live Graceful

Forgiveness, both for others and for yourself, is one of the most radical ways to release stress. Living gracefully doesn’t mean forgetting the past, but refusing to let it define your future.

6. Live Grateful

Stress thrives on fear and scarcity. Gratitude shifts our hearts toward abundance and hope. The more we recognize the blessings already present in our lives, the less room stress has to grow.

To learn more about Dr. Jantz’s work and the Center, please visit www.aplaceofhope.com.