Does this feel familiar?
You check your inbox before you’ve even got out of bed.
Your manager’s name pops up on Teams and your heart rate jumps.
You’ve eaten lunch at your desk every day this month.
You lie awake rewriting tomorrow’s presentation in your head.
What might be going on
Work stress usually comes from a few things: too much to do, too little control over how you do it, unclear expectations, difficult relationships or a lack of support. The more of these that apply, the harder it gets.
When stress never switches off, your body stays on alert, which affects sleep, digestion, mood and energy. Over time, that can turn into burnout.
Help can work on both sides. Coaching or therapy can support boundaries, conversations and decisions about your job, while body-based practices help you actually recover between the busy days.
One small thing. Just for today.
Pick a time to close your laptop tonight, tell one person, and stick to it.
Let’s untangle a few assumptions
Support can look different
A little perspective
The Health and Safety Executive estimated that 16.4 million working days were lost in Great Britain in 2023/24 because of work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
Questions you might be asking
When to get medical help
See your GP if work stress is affecting your sleep, mood or health for more than a couple of weeks. They can sign you off if needed and talk through support. If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, call Samaritans free on 116 123.
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