Work Stress Anxiety | Burnout Prevention & Work Anxiety Help

Cheryl Paris | Work Stress & Burnout Specialist
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Work Stress Anxiety is a weekday podcast for high-achieving women dealing with work stress, work anxiety, burnout and emotional exhaustion. Hosted by Cheryl Paris, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Stress Recovery Coach, it blends real stories, nervous-system education and practical strategies to help you understand what is happening under workplace pressure and what to do next. No resilience theatre. No pretending a breathing exercise fixes a dysfunctional workplace. Just practical, reality-first support for burnout prevention.

  1. 22h ago

    You Might Be Coping More Than You Think: When High Performance Blurs Into Anxiety

    You can be the person everyone counts on and still feel like you are running on fumes. Cheryl sits down with Hannah Curman to unpack over functioning: the polished “swan on the lake” image on the surface, with frantic paddling underneath. We get honest about what it looks like in real work life: saying yes when you mean no, over-controlling details, chasing recognition, and performing well while your body stays locked in stress and anxiety. From there, we go deeper than productivity tips. We talk about personal values and why not knowing them can leave you trapped in roles, habits, and expectations that quietly work against you. Hannah challenges the idea that money is always a value and asks the better question: what does money stand for? Security, belonging, hierarchy, freedom? Once you can name the real value, you can make clearer choices without the constant internal friction. We also explore status, integrity, and a powerful piece of human psychology: loss aversion. When the fear of losing a title, approval, or identity feels bigger than any potential upside, high performance can turn into a stress response. Finally, we reframe “stepping back” as strength and safety, not failure, and share a lived burnout-to-recovery story that points to a healthier definition of achievement: high impact, not high hours. Subscribe for more conversations on workplace stress, anxiety, burnout, and nervous system aware performance, and if this resonates, share it with someone who is carrying too much and leave a review. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    You Might Be Coping More Than You Think: When High Performance Blurs Into Anxiety

  2. 1d ago

    The Work Stress Pattern Hiding in The standard that keeps moving

    Your mind goes blank in a meeting, you reread the same email five times, and somehow you still tell yourself you should be able to handle it. We unpack why that loss of clarity under work stress is often a predictable nervous system response, not a motivation problem. I’m Cheryl Parris, a clinical hypnotherapist and stress recovery coach, and I’m joined by Hannah Curman to map what’s happening in the body when pressure starts to feel like threat. We talk about cortisol, the prefrontal cortex, and why the “thinking brain” can get overloaded when stress becomes chronic. Hannah explains how prolonged activation can leave you feeling overwhelmed, dizzy, fatigued, or emotionally empty, even while you look totally composed on the outside. If you’ve ever related to high functioning anxiety, this conversation puts language to that experience and replaces self-blame with biology and practical awareness. Then we move into what you can actually do. Hannah shares her Clarity Chain approach: spot, decode, direct. We focus on simple signals you can notice in seconds, muscle tension, breathing depth, and even the speed and tone of your voice, and how those cues can reveal patterns in specific places, around certain people, or in repeating work situations. We also explore where you get your energy back, why authenticity beats perfection, and how to challenge worst-case thinking and impostor syndrome without forcing yourself to “think positive.” If you want calmer decisions, clearer focus, and a kinder relationship with your own stress signals, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s carrying too much, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    The Work Stress Pattern Hiding in The standard that keeps moving

  3. 2d ago

    Emotional Intelligence at Work: When Your Manager’s Words Don’t Match Their Behaviour

    A message lands in your inbox and it’s flawless: calm tone, empathetic phrasing, even a nod to “safe space” and open communication. Then you get into the actual conversation and suddenly you’re measuring every word, softening your point, and walking away wondering if you were “too sensitive.” That disconnect is more common than we admit and it’s a fast track to work stress and anxiety. I dig into a simple but powerful idea: emotionally intelligent language and emotionally intelligent behavior are not the same thing. With AI tools now able to rewrite any blunt email into something warm and considerate within seconds, we can’t treat polished communication as proof of trust, leadership, or psychological safety. The real test shows up when there’s friction: when you disagree, raise a concern, challenge a decision, or offer feedback the other person doesn’t want. To make this practical, I share a tiny experiment you can run after one interaction, no dossier required. Write three lines: what was said, what was done, what pattern followed. It’s a shift from mind reading to observation, and it can quiet the mental noise that keeps you stuck between “the email was lovely” and “the meeting was horrible.” If you want more grounded tools for navigating workplace relationships in the age of AI-generated empathy, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    Emotional Intelligence at Work: When Your Manager’s Words Don’t Match Their Behaviour

  4. 2d ago

    Hypnotherapy for Work Stress:Work Anxiety Alarm Has Outlived the Emergency

    Three words can hijack your whole morning: “Can we talk?” Before you’ve even opened the message, your stomach drops, your shoulders tighten and your mind is already six corridors ahead, trying to work out what has gone wrong. In this episode, we explore hypnotherapy for stress through one of the most familiar patterns in workplace anxiety: the moment your internal alarm reacts before you have enough evidence to know what is actually happening. This isn’t about forcing yourself to calm down or convincing yourself that everything is fine. Hypnotherapy for stress may help you become more aware of the automatic meanings and predictions your mind has attached to pressure, so you can begin creating more choice in how you respond. Sometimes stress is useful information. There really is smoke. The workload may be unreasonable, somebody may be behaving badly, or something genuinely needs your attention. But sometimes the alarm has become so sensitive that burnt toast and a house fire are receiving roughly the same response. The aim isn’t to ignore the alarm. It is to become more curious about what set it off and whether the level of alarm matches what is actually happening now. I share a simple 60-second exercise you can use the next time an email, Teams message, meeting request or change in tone triggers that familiar internal thud. Using two headings, Facts I Have and Story My Mind Added, you can begin separating what you know from what your mind is predicting. That small pause may help create space for a more flexible response, so you can deal with the situation that is actually in front of you rather than every possible version of what might happen next. Because a stress response can be completely understandable without being the only response available to you now. Follow Work Stress Anxiety for the rest of the Hypnotherapy and Choice series and more practical conversations about work stress, anxiety and the automatic patterns that can quietly shape how you feel and perform at work. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    Hypnotherapy for Work Stress:Work Anxiety Alarm Has Outlived the Emergency

  5. 6d ago

    Breathe Before You React: Relieving Work Stress Through Breathing

    Your workplace isn’t the only thing triggering you. Sometimes what looks like “I’m reacting to my boss” is actually an older emotional pattern waking up and running the same script again. Cheryl is joined by Deepak Chari for a grounded conversation on work stress, workplace anxiety, and the small, practical shifts that help you respond differently when “just calm down” feels impossible. We start with the most accessible lever you have all day: your breath. Deepak explains how stress shows up as shallow or erratic breathing, then walks through a simple heart-centred breathing practice you can do in minutes, even at your desk. Whether you think of it as mindfulness, nervous system regulation, or heart chakra work, the payoff is the same: a real pause that lowers reactivity and gives you options. From there, we dig into non-judgmental self-awareness. Noticing is information. Blame is a verdict. You’ll hear how to spot the signals (tight shoulders, slumped posture, racing breath), then “do the opposite” as a quick reset. We also talk about why tiny positive steps matter more than dramatic life overhauls, how evidence of progress builds confidence, and how a “spiral up” can replace the familiar spiral down. If you’re a manager, new leader, or high achiever carrying pressure quietly, we also explore a mindset shift that reduces burnout: separating who you are from the role you’re performing. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a calmer workday, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    Breathe Before You React: Relieving Work Stress Through Breathing

  6. Sep 30

    Why Small Comments Can Feel Like Big Threats At Work: Learning The Source Of Such Anxiety

    A single message from your boss can land like a punch, even when you tell yourself it is “not a big deal”. We dig into why work stress and anxiety can spike so fast and why the reaction often feels bigger than the moment. I’m joined by Deepak, who has spent decades helping people understand triggers, subconscious patterns, and the emotional “source code” we carry from earlier experiences. The goal is not to label you as broken; it is to help you stop blaming yourself and start making sense of what your nervous system is trying to protect you from. We talk through the mechanics of getting triggered: the body reacts first, the mind explains later. Deepak shares how similar tones, authority dynamics, or criticism can pattern-match to childhood moments of shame or humiliation, which is why “I know better” does not always change behaviour. We also explore how these subconscious imprints can repeat in relationships and careers, showing up as people pleasing, perfectionism, or self-sabotage that blocks promotions, confidence, and peace at work. You’ll hear practical tools you can use immediately, especially slowing your breathing to create a pause your brain will follow. We also get honest about shame, guilt, and denial, including how saying “I’m fine” can clash with what your voice and body reveal. We end with a simple, compassionate question that can redirect your mind toward self-respect and new neural pathways: what do you love about yourself, and how are you actually doing right now? If you want to go deeper, check out fastanxietyhelp.com and share your thoughts at podcastfeedback.com/works dressed on my team. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find practical help for workplace anxiety. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    Why Small Comments Can Feel Like Big Threats At Work: Learning The Source Of Such Anxiety

  7. Sep 30

    How Your Subconscious Turns Work Stress Into Habit

    Stress doesn’t always feel like stress. Sometimes it feels like a “normal” Tuesday, a full inbox, another meeting, and the quiet sense that you’re holding your breath all day. In this conversation, we dig into what’s really happening when work stress and anxiety sit in the background for so long that you stop noticing the cost, even as your body starts waving a white flag through tension, irritability, shutdown, or sleep loss. I’m joined by Deepak, who shares how subconscious patterns can overpower your best intentions in the moment, like when you promise yourself you’ll speak up and then freeze. We explore the link between chronic stress, the subconscious mind, and limiting beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not worthy,” and why those beliefs can keep high-functioning people stuck in overwork, self-doubt, and constant self-blame. You’ll also hear Deepak’s perspective on how early conditioning shapes the way we react to pressure later in life, and why two people can experience the same workplace and respond completely differently. Most importantly, we keep it practical and gentle. We talk about awareness as a first step, how to check in with your breathing and posture without turning it into an inquisition, and one simple question that can help you trace today’s reaction back to an older pattern so you can choose a different response next time. If you want better stress management, improved workplace wellbeing, and a calmer nervous system, this is a powerful place to start. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s been saying “I’m fine,” and leave a review so more people can find the show. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    How Your Subconscious Turns Work Stress Into Habit

  8. Sep 29

    When AI Makes You Look More Capable Than You Feel

    That little spike of panic when someone asks, “Can you explain that part?” is becoming a normal workplace feeling, especially when AI helped write the original answer. We’ve all seen it: the email reads smooth, the wording sounds smart, and the work looks done. Then the conversation shifts, the scenario changes slightly, and we realise we don’t fully understand what we just sent. That is where work stress and anxiety can sneak in, not because we’re incapable, but because modern tools can create polished output faster than our learning can catch up. We talk about the difference between getting an answer and making it your own, and we name the space between those two as the requisite learning gap. It’s not a diagnosis and it’s not a character flaw. It’s a practical way to pinpoint what still needs to click before we can take responsibility, explain our reasoning, or confidently adapt a recommendation. We also look at the real-world conditions that worsen the pressure: workplaces that reward speed, immediate responses, and “finished” writing while leaving little room for learning, checking sources, or asking basic questions out loud. To make it tangible, we use the sat nav analogy: it can get you to the address, but it doesn’t automatically teach you the city. Then we share a simple, low-stakes exercise you can try in minutes to rebuild clarity and confidence: read one short AI-generated explanation, look away, explain it in your own words, and test it with an example and an exception. If you want calmer, sharper thinking with AI at work, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review with the question you want us to explore next. 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://go.workstressanxiety.com/linkedin  Facebook: https://go.workstressanxiety.com/Facebook 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.

    When AI Makes You Look More Capable Than You Feel
See All (157)

Trailers

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Work Stress Anxiety is a weekday podcast for high-achieving women dealing with work stress, work anxiety, burnout and emotional exhaustion. Hosted by Cheryl Paris, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Stress Recovery Coach, it blends real stories, nervous-system education and practical strategies to help you understand what is happening under workplace pressure and what to do next. No resilience theatre. No pretending a breathing exercise fixes a dysfunctional workplace. Just practical, reality-first support for burnout prevention.

Information

You Might Also Like