The Wake-Up Call
Last year, I had a powerful realization while working with my own coach: I was addicted to stress.
It had become my default state. The kind of sate that makes stillness feel uncomfortable, downtime feel empty, and rest feel almost impossible.
I remember thinking, I was just being ambitious and super dedicated. But what I learned is that there’s a fine line between being driven by something and being dependent on something. My body and brain had started craving stress.
The Science of Stress Addiction
Stress itself isn’t bad. It is wired into our bodies and DNA for protection and survival. When your body senses pressure or danger, it releases adrenaline and cortisol to help you focus, give you a boost of energy to move faster, and stay alert.
The problem begins when that high-alert state and constant energy dump never shuts off. Over time, your nervous system adapts, and your brain begins to seek that rush of stress hormones, even when there’s no real threat.
Over time, that constant “go mode” will slowly deteriorate sleep, mood, health, and relationships, leaving you feeling anxious, irritable, and disconnected. Which is exactly what happened to me, I was highly addicted to the adrenaline rush.
The Hidden Cost of Constant Busyness
We are moving into the holiday season, and for most it’s a time when busyness seemingly overwhelms our schedules, this can be an impactful moment to take a pause and reflect.
Perhaps ask yourself:
- Has busyness become a measure of my worthiness?
- Am I living intentionally or simply reacting to stress?
- What would life feel like if I weren’t this busy, or if I slowed down without harboring guilt?
For many of us, slowing down feels almost unsafe. The quiet can feel empty, or even lonely.
Signs You Might Be Addicted to Stress
Take a moment to reflect to see if any of these sound familiar?
- Constantly taking on more
- Feeling restless during downtime
- Difficulty sleeping or truly resting
- Irritability or anxiety when things are calm
- Neglecting self-care or relationships
- Knowing you’re burned out… but unable to stop
If you relate to one or more of these, I’ve been in your shoes ….and there is a way out and having awareness is where the shift can begin.
Where do I start?
Start small. There is a long list of activities you can try to begin unwinding your relationship with stress, however here are a few of my favorite ones:
- Remove things from your calendar that aren’t truly necessary
- Set time limits on digital apps that drain your attention or energy
- Block your calendar for regulation and mindfulness practices, here are some ideas:
- Breathwork – 3-5 min to regulate your nervous system
- A short walk – 10 min no music or devices
- Journaling – 5-7 min a simple brain dump to clear mental clutter
- Do absolutely nothing for five minutes – no music no devices
And one more thing… don’t underestimate how long this takes to unwind. It’s taken me nearly nine months to rewire my system and learn how to feel safe.
This kind of healing doesn’t happen overnight, but every small moment of awareness adds up. The goal isn’t to remove stress completely… It’s to find safety and satisfaction by reducing what drains you and adding what restores you so you show up emotionally regulated.
A peaceful nervous system doesn’t mean you’re not productive or reliable. It means you’ve finally started prioritizing yourself, and when you prioritize yourself, you show up better, more productive and even more committed than before.
Want Support While You Rewire?
You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode.
If you’re ready to break free from chronic stress and find a sustainable rhythm that supports both your success and your well-being, I can help.
Through my Transformational Coaching and Integrative Wellness Programs, I help professionals in high-pressure, high-performance roles navigate change with agility, perform better, and sustain their success without sacrificing their health or happiness in the process.
Learn more about working with me –> https://oneshiftcoaching.com/