Are You Doing Too Much?

Stress Awareness Month

If you’re honest… where are you on this scale?

1–10: Are you doing too much?

(10 = yes, absolutely. 1 = not really)

I saw a video of a mum saying,“I’ll rest after this…”

She finishes one task… then starts another. Again—“I’ll rest after this.”

And it keeps going.

One comment said:“I've done this and next thing it’s 5am.”

For many busy professionals who may also be moms, dads, caregivers of elderly parents…that’s not far from reality.

The Truth About Stress (That We Don’t Always Say)

You don’t wake up one day burnt out.

It builds quietly:

• One more email

• One more task

• One more “let me just finish this”

Until your body starts speaking:

• You’re always tired

• Your sleep isn’t refreshing

• You’re overwhelmed—even on “lighter” days

• Your health and any underlying conditions starts slipping despite your efforts.

BP, cholesterol, blood sugar levels go up (now you're prediabetic or have type 2 diabetes).

And the frustrating part?

You feel you've actually been trying.

Why Work Stress Feels Out of Your Control

Let’s be real.

Sometimes it’s not just you:

• Work demands don’t stop

• Deadlines keep coming

• People rely on you

• Saying no doesn’t feel like an option in these economic times & job security is uncertain

So you push through.

Because it feels necessary. Life depends on it! Bills, kids stuff, mortgage, rent etc.

But here’s the shift:

👉 You may not control the workload…but you can control how far it gets access to you.

And that’s where boundaries protect your health.

Healthy Boundaries = Stress Protection

Boundaries aren’t about doing less work.

They’re about:

• Protecting your energy

• Reducing mental overload

• Giving your body space to recover

Because without that…

👉 Stress turns into burnout👉 Burnout turns into health issues

4 Boundaries To Try When Work Stress Feels Out of Control

💡 1. The “Last Task Wins” Rule: Decide before you start your day what your last task is. When it’s done → your day ends. No negotiating with yourself.

💡 2. The 10-Minute Exit Strategy: When work finishes, don’t go straight into another task. Take 10 minutes to do nothing—sit, breathe, pause. This breaks the stress carryover into your evening.

💡 3. The “Delayed Yes” Boundary: Instead of saying yes immediately, say:“Let me check and come back to you.”This creates space to choose—not react.

💡 4. Protect One Non-Negotiable Daily Habit: Even in your busiest day (e.g. 10-min walk, proper meal, early night).This becomes your anchor, no matter how demanding work is. Small BUT Powerful!

The Real Shift

You don’t need to wait for work to slow down to feel better.

You need boundaries that: Work with your reality Not against it

Because pushing through might get the work done…

But it will cost you your health, which will cost your peace, which will cost you your mental health, which will cost you in ways that can't be costed.

The impact then goes on to those who matter to you, the very ones you are striving for. Strive in your health for them and everything will follow.

This Stress Awareness Month…

If you’re feeling:

• Constantly overwhelmed

• Drained from work

• Close to burnout

• Like your health is taking a back seat

This is your sign to pause and reassess.

I’ll be running a workshop on: The Power of Boundaries On Your Health

To help you protect your health—even when life and work feel full.

Click here to secure your place.

And if you feel like you can’t wait…

Click here to have a conversation and we can look at how I can help you create boundaries that actually work for your life.