I Didn’t Know I Was Stressed – Until I Had No Choice but to Stop

I Didn’t Know I Was Stressed – Until I Had No Choice but to Stop
The month of April is Stress Awareness Month, if you had asked me a few years ago whether I was stressed, I would have said absolutely not.
I was conscientious, responsible, a perfectionist, and a people-pleaser—all qualities that made me excel in my career and personal life. I juggled responsibilities, met expectations, and kept everything running smoothly. To the outside world, and even to myself, I was “fine.”
Except, I wasn’t.
The reality was, I had no idea what stress truly looked like—because in my mind, stress meant being visibly overwhelmed, emotionally fragile, or feeling like you were falling apart. That wasn’t me. I was “coping,” or so I thought. But the body always keeps score.
The Moment Everything Changed
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the world slowed down. And for the first time in years, so did I. The sudden pause forced me to stop, reflect, and acknowledge what I had been ignoring for so long.
The tightness in my shoulders. The constant headaches. The fatigue that no amount of sleep seemed to fix. The physical pain that doctors couldn’t explain.
It was only in this stillness that I began to connect the dots. The way I had been living—constantly doing, achieving, and pushing through—had been keeping my nervous system in a constant state of stress. I hadn’t noticed the warning signs because stress had become my normal.
Why High-Performers Often Overlook Stress
I now understand that people in senior roles, leadership positions, or caregiving responsibilities are often the last to recognise their own stress. Why? Because we are too busy managing everything else. We equate slowing down with laziness. We wear productivity as a badge of honour.
But the truth is, when we don’t stop and listen, our bodies will make us stop. Stress doesn’t always show up as anxiety or panic attacks—it can manifest as:
  • Digestive issues (bloating, IBS, nausea)
  • Persistent muscle tension or pain
  • Frequent headaches or migraines
  • Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability or emotional numbness
  • Feeling “tired but wired”—exhausted yet unable to switch off
At the time, I thought my physical pain had nothing to do with stress. But I now know that chronic stress dysregulates the nervous system, keeping the body in fight-or-flight mode and triggering real, physical symptoms.
Burnout: A Growing Epidemic
I am not alone in this experience. According to recent UK statistics:
  • 79% of UK adults experience work-related stress, with one in five reporting they feel stressed more days than not.
  • Over 50% of workers say stress negatively impacts their sleep, energy, and overall health.
  • Burnout rates have soared, with more than half of UK employees reporting they feel exhausted, disengaged, or overwhelmed.
Stress is not just a mental or emotional issue—it’s a whole-body experience. And if left unchecked, it can lead to burnout, chronic pain, autoimmune issues, and long-term health consequences.
Hope & Prevention: What We Can Do
The good news? Once we learn to identify the first signs of stress, we can take action to prevent further damage.
  • Daily nervous system resets – Breathwork, movement, or nature walks
  • Journaling or self-reflection – Checking in with yourself regularly
  • Recognising the “red flags” – Understanding your unique stress symptoms
  • Seeking support – Therapy, coaching, or simply opening up to a trusted friend
  • Permission to pause – Resting is productive; it is not a weakness
This has been one of the biggest learning curves of my life—one I am still working on every day. And if you’re reading this, perhaps it’s one you’re beginning too.
As we enter Stress Awareness Month, I encourage you to ask yourself:
Am I really okay, or am I just used to this pace?
Stress may be sneaky, but we don’t have to let it take over our lives. Noticing it is the first step. Rebalancing is the next.
Let’s Talk
If this resonates with you, I’d love to support you on your journey to managing stress and reclaiming your well-being. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, stress-related pain, or just need guidance on where to start, let’s have a conversation.
Send me a message or book a free discovery call—I’d love to hear your story Contact
You’re not alone in this. And the best part? Change is absolutely possible.
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