Are We Hooked to Stress?

We believe stress is something that happens to us, but many of us are actually addicted to the feeling of being on edge. Your brain and body can get hooked on that surge of adrenaline — the very chemical that’s meant to help in emergencies. When life gets calm, you crave the chaos again, because calm feels foreign.  ------------------------------------------------------------  Practical examples: - The man who finally gets a weekend off work… and ends up fixing the shed, cutting the grass, and reorganising the garage because he “can’t sit still.” - The mum who says she wants peace and quiet — but when the house finally goes silent, she feels uneasy and starts tidying. - The taxi driver who keeps the radio blaring, the phone pinging, and the conversation going — because silence feels uncomfortable. - The manager who checks emails at 10 PM “just in case,” unable to switch off, thinking that being always available equals being valuable.  We say, “I work better under pressure” — but what we really mean is: I’m more familiar with panic than peace.  ------------------------------------------------------------ 3-Step Solution :  1️⃣ Notice your baseline. Ask yourself: What does peace feel like in my body? If you can’t remember the last time you felt truly relaxed — without needing to check your phone or plan your next move — that’s your sign.  Example: You’re watching TV but half your brain is thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list. That’s not relaxation — that’s low-grade stress. Try this instead: lie on the sofa, breathe deeply, and stay present for two minutes.  ------------------------------------------------------------  2️⃣ Pause before reacting. When you feel that surge to do something now, take one deep breath. Say to yourself: “This is just my old wiring — I’m safe even when I’m still.”  Example: The email pings — instead of jumping to reply instantly, pause. When someone says something triggering — instead of snapping, breathe first. That pause is your power. It breaks the addiction cycle.  ------------------------------------------------------------  3️⃣ Replace the rush. Find a new kind of “high.” Replace the stress buzz with movement, laughter, or gratitude.  Examples: - Take a brisk walk before work instead of doom scrolling. - Turn your car drive into quiet time — no radio, just breathing. - Swap scrolling for stretching. - Call a friend to share good news instead of venting about stress.