When Stress Becomes Your Normal: Living in Survival Mode

When pressure stops feeling temporary

There is everyday stress - deadlines, busy weeks and the normal pressures of life.

Then there is the kind of stress that seems to follow you everywhere.

You wake up thinking about work.

You replay conversations on the drive home.

You struggle to switch off in the evening.

Small things start feeling bigger than they used to.

And because it happens gradually, you may not immediately recognise just how much pressure you've been under.

When functioning hides how you're feeling

One of the difficult things about prolonged stress is that you can still appear completely fine.

You may be working, achieving, caring for other people and meeting everyone's expectations.

Nobody looking at you would necessarily know that you're exhausted.

Sometimes you don't recognise it yourself.

You simply tell yourself you're busy. That things will settle down next week. That you just need to get through this particular project, meeting or difficult period.

But next week arrives and nothing really changes.

Workplace stress can follow you home

This is particularly common when the source of the stress is something happening at work.

Perhaps you're dealing with repeated criticism, exclusion, unpredictable behaviour or a working relationship that has become increasingly difficult.

You might start anticipating the next email or worrying about the next meeting before it has even happened.

And although you've physically left the office at the end of the day, mentally you're still there.

That can be exhausting.

Notice what's happening without judging yourself

If you recognise some of this, the answer isn't necessarily to become better at coping with more pressure. It may be worth asking:

What is actually causing me the most stress?

What happens immediately before I feel particularly anxious or unsettled?

Has my confidence changed?

Am I behaving differently at work because I'm worried about someone's reaction?

What do I need right now?

Those questions can help separate the problem itself from the effect it is having on you.

Supporting yourself through prolonged stress

There isn't one solution that works for everybody.

Coaching can provide space to understand what's happening, think through your options and rebuild confidence.

Breathwork and nervous-system regulation practices may also help with relaxation and creating moments of calm when you've been feeling constantly switched on.

And depending on what's happening, support may also come from your GP, HR, an employment lawyer or another appropriate professional.

Getting support isn't an admission that you can't cope.

Sometimes it's simply the most practical next step.

You don't have to wait until you've had enough

Prolonged stress can become so familiar that we stop questioning it.

But familiar doesn't necessarily mean sustainable.

If work has started affecting how you feel outside work, your confidence or your sense of yourself, it may be time to pay attention to that.

At Satori Wellness, I specialise in supporting women affected by workplace bullying, difficult workplace experiences and prolonged workplace stress.

If this sounds familiar, a free 30 minute discovery call is a good place to start.