Work Stress & Work Anxiety: Wired but Tired

I’m exhausted. So why can’t my body just bloody switch off?   You shut your laptop, but your nervous system stays wired. Tight jaw, shallow breathing, jumpiness at notifications—this is work stress that doesn't clock out. In this episode, I walk through Joan's story and reveal why your body keeps acting like the next demand is already here. Learn the nervous system anxiety pattern hiding behind "just relax" advice, and discover stress recovery techniques that actually reset your threat response after work. You finally stop working, but your body keeps acting like the next demand is already on its way. If you’ve ever shut the laptop, sat in a quiet room, and still felt a tight jaw, shallow breathing, and that jumpy reaction to a notification sound, you’re not alone. I talk about the “wired but tired” experience through the lens of work stress anxiety and why your nervous system may not calm down just because your schedule says you’re off. I walk through a story of “Joan,” a young dentist on leave who expects time away to feel restorative, only to find her body staying on high alert. We unpack the hidden belief that fuels the spiral: “If I were safe, I would feel calm immediately.” Calm can come with safety, but its absence isn’t proof that something is wrong with you or that you’re failing at rest. After sustained pressure, your system may need a real cooldown, more like an engine coming down from speed than a switch flipping off. You’ll also get a small, practical grounding exercise you can try in a manageable moment. We use orientation (naming three things you can see), feeling your feet on the floor, and a single comfortable exhale to look for flexibility rather than perfection. The goal is not a relaxation test. It’s gathering evidence that the present is different, even by two percent. If you find this helpful, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one, share it with someone who’s carrying too much, and leave a review to help more people find support. What’s the first sign your body gives you that you’re still “on”? Send us Fan Mail The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have a specific health concern or condition, please consult a qualified Healthcare professional for more details. Check out herguru dot uk forward slash disclaimers Support the show Got feedback, a question, or a future episode suggestion? https://podcastfeedback.com/workstressanxiety Work Stress Anxiety by ABGW is part of HerGuru Hypnotherapy and Coaching™ and grounded in the ABGW Method®. Calm first. Reality first. Then change.™ Connect with Cheryl Paris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog Shared stories are anonymised. This podcast is provided for educational and self- reflective purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, legal, workplace, or professional advice. Disclaimer: https://herguru.uk/disclaimers/ © Cheryl Paris. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.