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Work Stress Anxiety | Burnout Prevention & Work Anxiety Help

Cheryl Paris | Work Stress & Burnout Specialist

Work Stress Anxiety is a dedicated podcast for high-achieving women seeking expert guidance on work stress, burnout prevention, and managing work anxiety. Hosted by Cheryl Paris, a clinical hypnotherapist and stress recovery coach, the show blends real stories, nervous system regulation techniques, and hypnotherapy for stress relief. Listeners learn to handle workplace stress, job insecurity stress, and toxic workplace dynamics while building emotional resilience and preventing burnout. Practical strategies for work-related stress recovery and improving work-life balance are covered in every episode, making it an essential resource for women facing workplace pressure.


The weekday podcast is for high-achieving women 


If you're struggling with workplace anxiety, feeling emotionally drained, lying awake at 2:03 a.m. staring at the clock, replaying conversations, or wondering why your success feels so expensive now, you're in the right place.


Hosted by Cheryl Paris, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Stress Recovery Coach, this podcast helps high-achieving women understand work-related stress, prevent burnout, build emotional resilience, and recover from chronic workplace pressure.


Work Stress Anxiety uses metaphors, nervous system education, and real-world workplace examples to help high-achieving women make sense of stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion at work.


Through honest conversations with ordinary people you’d walk past in the street every day, Cheryl explores real stories, real struggles, and practical ways forward, without the motivational nonsense.


You'll get to learn practical strategies for:

• Work stress and workplace stress

• Work anxiety and anxiety at work

• Burnout prevention and burnout recovery

• Emotional exhaustion and nervous system overload

• Emotional resilience during difficult periods

• Stress recovery after prolonged pressure

• High-functioning anxiety

• Workplace conflict and investigations

• Toxic workplace cultures

• Setting boundaries without guilt

• Sleeping better when your mind won't switch off

• Coping with uncertainty, change, and job insecurity


Helping you understand what's really happening in your workplace mind, what's happening in your nervous system, and what you can do next.


ABGW stands for Awareness, Balance, Growth, and Win-Win Wellbeing.


Not pretending that a breathing exercise fixes your dysfunctional workplace.

None of that resilience theatre or so-called positivity.


Just practical support for high-achieving women who want to stop paying for their success with their health.


Shared stories are anonymised.


This podcast is for educational and reflective purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, legal, workplace, or professional advice.




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  • S4 · E39
    Yesterday · 24 min

    Stop the Wrong Stress Battles | Work Burnout Prevention

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Stress at work doesn’t just make you tired. It can quietly strip away your patience, your focus, and the parts of you that used to feel steady. We’re joined by clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Vanessa Bo Richard, who shares a practical framework she built from both personal experience and brain science: the FORWARD Method. We start with the most important move when you feel overwhelmed: framing the problem. Dr. Richard explains how to sort stressors into what you can fix, what you should face for a meaningful goal, and what you may need to forget because it is unhealthy to accept. From there, we dig into outlook without fake positivity, why being “capable of struggle” expands your options, and how rigid beliefs like “I can’t leave” can trap you in higher-cost choices. Then we get specific about the neuropsychology of chronic stress. When the amygdala is on high alert, clear thinking shrinks and rumination takes over. Dr. Richard explains how outside understanding, mentors, books, podcasts, or therapy can bring your prefrontal cortex back online so you can make better decisions. We also talk about reflection that gives pain meaning without pretending you have to be grateful, plus a Monday-morning reset for anyone running on empty using her “brain dollars” idea. If this helped, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s burning out, and leave a review so more people can find practical tools for workplace stress and anxiety. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E38
    Wednesday · 24 min

    Resilience Trap: How Perfectionism Anxiety Becomes Burnout

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Staying in a job that’s crushing you can look like grit from the outside, but inside it can feel like slow erosion. Cheryl sits down with Dr Vanessa Laveau-Richmond, a clinical neuropsychologist, to separate true resilience from unhealthy tolerance and to name the moment when “pushing through” stops being brave and starts being costly. We get honest about what burnout can actually feel like when your nervous system finally taps out, and why so many high performers stay in toxic workplace culture, impossible workloads, or poor management because change feels like failure. Dr Vanessa explains the brain’s bias for the familiar, why anxiety spikes when you consider a career change, and why waiting for the “perfect time” to act often keeps you stuck longer than you want. Then we move into tools you can use right away: the “brain dollars” concept for managing your mental energy at work, what chronic stress and cortisol do to focus, memory, and your body, and a simple decision framework to frame any stressor as something you fix, face, or forget. You’ll leave with clearer language, practical next steps, and a gentler truth to hold onto: your brain and body are built to get through hard things, even when you don’t feel ready. If this helped, subscribe, share it with someone who’s running on empty, and leave a review so more people can find support for work stress, anxiety, and burnout. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E37
    Tuesday · 22 min

    Brain Dollars: The Cost of Workplace Anxiety Management

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Burnout recovery isn't just about rest—it's about re-entry. When you step back into work after time off (or take on a bigger role), your nervous system reads it as a threat. In this episode, we explain why your work anxiety spikes, show you the real cost of pushing through, and share nervous-system-reset tactics that stop re-entry from becoming your next burnout cycle. You're not overreacting. You're paying attention. Your brain is paying for everything you ask it to do and the bill may be higher than you think. When you feel wiped out, unfocused, and strangely numb even after a weekend “off,” it can be a sign you’re running low on what our guest Dr Vanessa calls Brain Dollars: the finite mental resources that fund focus, coping, sensory input, relationships, and the daily stress of work. Cheryl and Dr Vanessa unpack how withdrawals add up and why chronic stress charges interest. A difficult boss, a toxic dynamic, or even the dread of Monday can drain your account on days you never step into the office. We talk about why this slide happens so gradually that you adjust to less energy, less joy, and less clarity until you hit a confusing zero point where even helpful habits feel impossible to start. We also get practical about deposits that actually work in real life: micro-breaks, deep breathing, grounding your body, connection, movement, and small moments that reset your nervous system between demanding tasks. Dr Vanessa explains the default mode network and why a 15-to-20-minute break is not a luxury, but a refuel that restores concentration, supports emotional processing, and can even spark creativity. We also explore why acts of kindness can be a high-return deposit because self-esteem is built through action. If you’re trying to prevent burnout, reduce workplace anxiety, or rebuild your energy without vague advice, this conversation gives you a clear framework and realistic tools. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s running on empty, and leave a review with the deposit that helps you most. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E36
    Monday · 28 min

    The Indispensable Trap | Manager Burnout & Nervous System Recovery

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Burnout prevention for managers starts with recognising the trap. Leslie, a high-functioning manager, lies awake at 2:15 AM believing her team depends solely on her. Work stress expert Cheryl Paris reveals how the need to be indispensable creates exhaustion—and how the Wizard of Oz teaches us the path to nervous system recovery. Real stories, nervous system regulation, actionable steps. Every leader says they want a team with initiative, but what happens when your systems quietly train people to wait for permission? We start with Leslie, a talented manager awake at 2:15 a.m., replaying staffing problems, customer complaints, and supplier decisions, all because “nothing can happen unless Leslie responds.” It sounds like dedication until you feel the toll: work stress, anxiety, resentment, and the kind of burnout where you take a sick day just to avoid being needed. We use a vivid metaphor from The Wizard of Oz: the booming, all-powerful wizard is really one anxious person behind a curtain pulling levers to manage appearances. That is what micromanagement can become, not always from ego, but from fear. When a manager steps in, changes decisions, or treats “different” as “wrong,” teams adapt for psychological safety. They stop taking ownership and start making requests. The leader then gets more proof that the team “can’t decide,” the backlog grows, and everyone feels stuck in a dependency loop. Then we pivot to solutions that uphold high standards without trapping you in a cycle of constant approval. We talk about structured trust, separating decisions that truly need authority from those that just became habit, and running small, low-risk delegation experiments. We also explore a simple reframe (the ABGW method): if people can handle more without me, my leadership is working. If you want calmer leadership, better decision-making, and less workplace anxiety, listen through to the end, then subscribe, share it with a manager who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E35
    August 7 · 20 min

    Fear of Initiative at Work | High Functioning Anxiety in Leadership

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Burnout prevention for female managers often starts with a hard truth: your team's hesitation to use initiative mirrors your own high-functioning anxiety. Jamie, a funeral director, has a conscientious team—yet they keep checking, waiting, and avoiding decisions. In this conversation with Cheryl Paris, discover why words like 'professional' and 'use your judgment' carry hidden meanings that freeze your team's nervous system. Learn how decoding your own workplace stress and perfectionism gives your team permission to think and lead. Your team isn’t “lacking initiative” if they’re busy trying not to get punished by surprise standards. We tell the story of Jamie, a 32-year-old funeral director who cares deeply about families and holds high professional standards, yet feels exasperated when her team double-checks everything, waits for approval, and seems afraid to make decisions. We dig into the real culprit behind so much workplace stress and anxiety at work: expectations that sound clear but aren’t. Words like “professional,” “warm,” “sensitive,” and “use your judgment” can feel obvious to the person speaking because they come with a full mental picture. But when the picture stays in a manager’s head, the team can only guess. After a few rounds of “That’s not what I meant,” people learn that the safest move is to ask first, copy the boss on every message, and avoid the risk of being wrong. From there, we map the cycle: high stakes make control look like care, retroactive corrections create fear, fear produces overchecking, and overchecking becomes “evidence” that the team can’t be trusted. We also bring in professional reflection, not as self-blame, but as a leadership tool to ask: what pattern am I part of, and what am I creating through my habits? You’ll leave with a simple practice you can use today: make one important standard visible before the work starts so initiative becomes safe again. If this hits close to home, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more leaders can replace anxiety with clarity. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E34
    August 6 · 21 min

    Manage Workplace Anxiety | Stop the Constant Mental Work

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Work anxiety management can become another full-time job—constant monitoring, techniques, and self-optimisation that keeps your nervous system locked in high alert. In this episode, we explore why high-functioning anxious women often miss the biggest recovery tool: permission to stop managing. You'll learn the nervous system reset that matters most, how to recognise when anxiety management is draining you further, and the counterintuitive truth about sustainable stress recovery for burnt-out leaders. Anxiety at work can hijack your whole day, and the worst part is how quickly “managing it” becomes another job you never applied for. Cheryl sits down with psychotherapist Elke to make calming down simpler, more physical, and far more realistic, especially for busy people who do not have time to overthink every symptom. We focus on what helps your nervous system feel safer, not on chasing a perfect routine. We dig into practical, body-based stress and anxiety tools you can use anywhere: hydration as a baseline, breathing that actually feels doable when you are already activated, and why the vagus nerve matters when anxiety shows up as tension, nausea, a tight throat, or a racing heart. Elke also explains havening, a gentle touch technique that sends a nonverbal “you are safe” message to your system when words like “relax” do nothing. From there, we build a personal “calm list” so you have steps to follow even when your mind is spinning, plus the idea of layering supports when you need “heavy artillery” to bring your stress level down. We also get honest about gratitude: not as a cheesy slogan or toxic positivity, but as science-backed attention training that can reduce perfectionism and grow real joy over time. If you want practical workplace anxiety strategies, nervous system regulation ideas, and a simple daily practice that saves time and energy, you will leave with a clear plan. Subscribe, share this with someone who is carrying too much, and leave a review with the one tool you want to try first. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E33
    August 5 · 26 min

    Your Body Says Panic, Your Mind Says Fine | Work Anxiety Explained

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. High-functioning anxiety often masquerades as productivity. Your body sends distress signals—tension, racing heart, exhaustion—while your mind insists you're fine and in control. With guest Elke Scholz, we explore why high-achieving women experience this body-mind disconnect and share a powerful nervous system reset you can use at your desk in 2 minutes. Stop ignoring what your body is telling you about work stress before it becomes burnout. Your body can be in full panic while your mind insists you’re okay, and that disconnect is one of the most confusing parts of work stress anxiety. Cheryl sits down with Elka to trace anxiety back to its less obvious roots, especially for high-functioning women juggling careers, caregiving, and the pressure to be “good” at everything. Instead of treating anxiety as one big problem, we treat it like a set of clues and start narrowing it down. We dig into physical drivers that often get missed: caffeine tolerance, alcohol rebound anxiety, sugar crashes, dehydration, and the way sleep debt can wreck your emotional resilience after just a couple of nights. Elka shares how food sensitivities can trigger a body-based anxiety attack even when you feel mentally fine, plus why hormones and blood markers matter. If your finances are fine, your relationship is solid, and you still feel like you’re “freaking out”, we talk about why thyroid issues and iron deficiency are worth checking with a professional. Then we zoom out to modern overstimulation and the stress of constant inputs. Phones keep us in FOMO and alert mode, and Elka describes the striking difference between frantic scrolling and the calm that comes from quiet, nature, and gentle sensory grounding. We also name the “shoulds”, perfectionism, and self-doubt that push high standards into chronic anxiety, and we touch on high sensitivity, memory triggers, and trauma held in the body. If you want practical coping tools, Elka offers a free two-page PDF you can pick from, plus Cheryl shares a playful idea for a movement-ready playlist to help refill your cup. Subscribe for more conversations on work anxiety and nervous system regulation, share this with someone who’s quietly carrying too much, and leave a review so more listeners can find the support. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E32
    August 4 · 24 min

    Why Anxiety Strikes Without Warning | Work Stress Recovery Explained

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Why does work anxiety feel like it appears out of nowhere? In this episode, Cheryl Paris talks with Elke Scholz about high-functioning anxiety, the difference between fear, stress, worry, and anxiety, and how your body uses the anxiety scale and physical signals to ask for attention. Learn why shame isn't the answer—and what your nervous system is actually trying to tell you. Anxiety can hit during the most ordinary moment and that’s exactly what makes it so unsettling. We’re talking about the mystery of “random” anxiety and why it often isn’t random at all once you understand how your nervous system stacks small stressors. I’m joined by Elka, who brings a grounded, practical lens to work stress and anxiety, especially for high-functioning women who keep ticking the boxes while feeling uneasy inside. We unpack the difference between fear, anxiety, and stress in plain language. Fear is the immediate alarm that pushes you to act, while anxiety is often anticipatory, your mind scanning ahead for what might happen next. Elka shares a memorable story that makes this distinction click, then we explore how anxiety can actually be useful information: a signal to check your finances, your health, or your environment, instead of spiralling into repetitive worry. From there we get very practical. We talk about why anxiety can flare up when you’ve done something safely a hundred times, how dehydration can raise anxiety first thing in the morning, and why reaching for coffee before water can make things worse. Elka also introduces a simple 0–10 scale to track your anxiety level, find your slippery slope, and set clearer boundaries at work before you hit overload. If you want calmer mornings, better self-awareness, and tools for stress management that don’t require fancy gear, press play. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s been silently coping, and leave a review so more people can find support. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E31
    August 3 · 23 min

    When Nothing You Do Is Good Enough | Work Stress & Perfectionism

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. High-functioning anxiety and perfectionism can make you feel like nothing your team does is ever good enough. But here's the truth: the problem isn't their work—it's your nervous system running on overdrive. Learn how burnout disguises itself as impossible standards and what to do about it without lowering your impact. A team can look “high performing” on the surface while quietly losing its nerve underneath. I’m Cheryl Paris, and I’m telling the story of Isabel, a capable new manager who wants to do a great job and ends up doing something many of us do under pressure: fine-tuning competent work until her team starts working for her approval instead of working from their own judgment. The work isn’t wrong, unsafe, or off-brief, but it keeps getting adjusted because it isn’t quite how she would have done it. That difference between preference and principle is where work stress and anxiety begin to grow. We unpack what this pattern does to a team: people stop asking “Is this good work?” and start asking “Will Isabel like it?” They rehearse minor decisions, re-check messages, and avoid initiative because the standard seems to change after the task is finished. Then we flip the lens to the manager’s side. When you step into a bigger role, the gap between responsibility and direct control can feel like an exposed nerve. Perfectionism and micromanagement can become a way to feel safe, even when it costs trust, speed, and psychological safety. I share two practical tools to break the loop without “lowering standards.” First is the Cola Principle: good, better, best, matched to purpose, risk, and time. Second is a quick decision filter before you edit: is it wrong, is it risky, or is it simply different? Different is allowed to be irritating, but it’s not an emergency. You’ll also hear how to set clear outcomes and boundaries upfront so competent people can deliver quality in more than one way. If this resonates, subscribe for more practical ideas on leadership, work stress, anxiety, and healthier standards, share it with a manager who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one “different but fine” choice you’ll stop correcting this week? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E30
    July 31 · 31 min

    How to Reduce Work Stress by Trusting Your Team—Without Lowering Your Standards

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. If you’ve ever gone home and realised your mind is still “on shift,” you’ll relate to Ella. She’s a lead electrician on construction sites, responsible for ensuring safe and compliant work, and she has a strong team around her. However, she keeps finding reasons to double-check, answer one more question, and verify what her deputies have already confirmed. While this may seem like dedication, it gradually transforms her into a human fuse box through which every decision must pass. That’s where work stress and anxiety begin to take their toll. We explore a common leadership trap that appears in both construction and corporate environments: confusing high standards with high involvement. High standards represent the goals we strive to achieve, while high involvement reflects the personal control we exert to ensure those goals are met. When these two concepts become tangled, delegation can feel risky, leading the team to rely on the leader’s confidence rather than developing their own. As team members hesitate, the leader intervenes more frequently, and both sides gather “proof” that this pattern is necessary. We then propose a practical alternative: structured trust. Instead of simply suggesting leaders “trust more,” we outline a system that makes trust tangible and measurable through clear standards, evidence of competence, defined decision-making rights, established review points, and transparent escalation procedures. We also introduce the ABGW method (Awareness, Balance, Growth, Well-being) to help leaders remain accountable without being constantly on call. We conclude with a simple three-question exercise for you to try this week. If you find this helpful, please subscribe, share it with a colleague who might be feeling overwhelmed, and leave a review so that more people can discover the show. What’s one decision you could delegate to a capable team member today? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E29
    July 30 · 23 min

    How Leaders Use Play To Cut Stress | Nervous System Reset

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. High-achieving women often push harder to manage stress—but what if the real stress recovery strategy is play? Join Cheryl Paris and Zander Phelps as they unpack why nervous system regulation through play isn't a distraction, it's a leadership tool. Discover how making work feel safer and more playful actually cuts stress and rebuilds resilience. Productivity advice usually sounds like more discipline, more pressure, and one more system to follow. We go the other direction: what if the simplest way to improve performance is to make work feel safer and more playful? I’m Cheryl Paris, and I’m joined by Zander Phelps to unpack why play at work is not a distraction. It is a stress-reduction tool that helps teams think clearly, collaborate better, and stay creative when deadlines hit. We talk leadership and workplace culture head-on: the “fish rots from the head” problem, why psychological safety matters more than perks, and how a team’s mood often mirrors what leaders tolerate. Zander shares practical ideas that leaders can introduce with almost no budget, from small recurring games to a one-minute dance party that resets energy without derailing the day. We also get real about resistance: how rigid workplaces can punish lightness, and why cultural change needs visible permission from management. If you need language that lands with decision-makers, we map out a constructive way to pitch play using outcomes leaders care about: productivity, creativity, burnout prevention, and employee retention. We also dig into the neuroscience of stress and play, including cortisol, fight-or-flight, and how the brain finds solutions faster when it is relaxed. Finally, you’ll get a realistic daily “prescription” for busy adults, including laughter practice, simple movement, and quick vagus nerve calming techniques you can use anywhere. If this sparked an idea for your team, subscribe for more conversations on work stress and anxiety, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more leaders find it. What is one playful reset you would actually try at work? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E28
    July 29 · 13 min

    Why Your Brain Can't Fix Burnout — Play Coach Explains

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. When work stress hits, your first instinct is to think harder—but that's exactly what keeps high-achievers stuck. In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Zander, a play coach who treats play as a nervous system regulation skill, not childish filler. Discover why rational problem-solving fails when anxiety takes over, and why a five-minute play break might be the stress recovery tool you've been missing. Perfect for burnt-out managers and overwhelmed leaders who've tried meditation but can't shut off their minds. Five minutes. That is all it might take to change the chemistry of your day, especially when work stress and anxiety start creeping in before the next meeting. Cheryl sits down with Zander, a play coach who treats play like a serious nervous system skill, not a childish extra. We get honest about why “just calm down” fails when your brain is in fight or flight, and why the fastest path back to clarity often runs through your body, not your thoughts. We dig into the science in plain language: play signals safety, which helps cortisol drop and opens the door to dopamine, oxytocin, and a steadier mood. Then we get practical with tools you can use in real workplaces. Cheryl shares her mission to build a 365 song playlist you can dance to at work, because most songs are about five minutes and that is enough time for a genuine reset. Zander breaks down juggling as an “ultimate brain exercise,” explaining how cross body patterns and rhythm can pull you into a focused, relaxed play flow state even if you start with one ball. We also explore footbag as a portable, low stakes way to move, coordinate, and connect, plus the surprising impact of making something by hand and gifting it to others as a form of kindness and stress relief. If you want actionable stress management, workplace wellness ideas, and a fresh approach to nervous system regulation, press play, then stand up and move. Subscribe for more practical tools, share this with a friend who is running on fumes, and leave a review if it helps. What song would you add to the five minute work dance playlist? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E27
    July 28 · 17 min

    Play Your Way Out of Work Stress | Nervous System Reset for Busy Women

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. When did you last genuinely play—not perform, not doom-scroll, but actually play? In this episode, we explore why nervous system regulation and burnout prevention start with reclaiming unstructured play, the stress recovery strategy high-achievers unconsciously abandoned. We'll unpack how adult play interrupts the stress cycle your mind can't think away, with practical ways to bring it back into your week. Perfect for your lunch break or gym workout. When was the last time you genuinely played, not performed, not scrolled, not numbed out, but actually played? That is our genuine suggestion to you in this episode. We start there and quickly land on a surprising point: adult play is not a childish extra; it is one of the best practical ways to calm stress, clear brain fog, and get back to creative thinking when work feels like too much. We talk with Zander, the “Z Play coach,” about reintroducing play in a way that feels safe and mature. That means building small triggers you can use in the moment: simple body cues, tiny movements, and tactile tools that remind your nervous system it can stand down. We also dig into why play and productivity are not enemies. When stress locks you into fight or flight, you lose flexibility, focus, and good judgement. A short pattern break can change your state fast enough to change your day. Then we go into the real world problem: the office that starts cheerful and feels drained by 11am. Emotions are contagious, so we explore self regulation, finding a comrade, and what leaders can do to create a workplace culture where people do better work because the environment stays light. You will also hear a story about a team that used five minutes of Nerf gun chaos to reset the whole room and get back to work smiling. If you want practical stress relief, better focus, and more joy at work without pretending life is perfect, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who feels burned out, and leave a review with your favorite small “play cue” so we can try it too. 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E26
    July 27 · 25 min

    Burnout Recovery | How to Track Wins When You're Drained

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. When you're exhausted, measuring progress feels impossible—and the traditional metrics fail you. In this episode, discover how to track real wins in burnout recovery: regulated nervous system moments, boundaries you kept, and the tiny brave steps high-achieving women overlook. Learn why progress looks different when you're rebuilding, and why that's not failure—it's wisdom. Remember this: that “tiny” step you took today might be the bravest thing you have done all week. When work stress, anxiety, and burnout recovery start to feel like yet another performance review, it is easy to believe you are falling behind, failing at boundaries, or doing wellbeing “wrong”. Guess what? I want to challenge that because I see it differently. Progress is not only the dramatic, visible, social-media-friendly kind. Sometimes it arrives quietly, and it still counts. We start with a quote I keep on my wall: every step you take, no matter how small, is a step towards a brighter, more balanced future. Then we walk through why this matters for capable, high-functioning people who expect themselves to recover quickly and completely. Using Allie’s story as a mirror, we talk about the hidden pressure of trying to renovate your whole life in weeks, and how that can lead to burning yourself out while trying to recover from burnout. From there, we get practical. I explain how acknowledging emotions like anger and anxiety is not the same as acting them out. Awareness creates space between emotion and reaction so you can choose a conscious response. We explore the ABGW Method® and how it reframes stress management as transforming energy into awareness, balance, growth, and sustainable wellbeing. We also talk about journaling as a simple tool to turn emotion into information, build healthier boundaries, and move at a pace that fits your real life. If this lands for you, follow Work Stress Anxiety, share it with someone who needs permission to notice their progress, and leave a review so more people can find the support they deserve. What is one small step you have taken recently that you have not given yourself credit for? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E25
    July 24 · 25 min

    Toxic Positivity at Work | When Stress Relief Becomes Burnout

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. That sinking feeling when your manager posts a "helpful" reminder isn't you being too sensitive—it's your nervous system recognising a stress pattern you've been conditioned to ignore. On today's episode, Cheryl Paris unpacks toxic positivity at work, how it fuels burnout in high-achieving women, and why nervous system awareness is your key to staying present without burning out. That sinking feeling when your manager posts a “helpful” reminder in the team chat isn’t always a sign that you’re being “too sensitive.” Sometimes, it’s your nervous system recognising a pattern you’ve been conditioned to ignore. I’m Cheryl Paris, and today I’m addressing a modern workplace issue that lurks behind the facade of professionalism: toxic positivity, which may seem sensible on paper but feels like quiet supervision in your body. We’ll discuss the small moments that accumulate into work stress, workplace anxiety, and an increased risk of burnout. This includes missing information, limited ownership, ideas that travel upward without your acknowledgement, and the pressure to remain calm, grateful, and relentlessly constructive. I’ll explain how the phrase “assume positive intent” can serve as a conversation stopper, how high-achieving women often find themselves acting both as detectives and suspects, and what I refer to as the "umbrella manager dynamic," where praise is shared while placing blame is deflected. Then, we’ll get practical. You’ll learn some simple tools to help you communicate more accurately without needing to be overly positive. These include a three-column note format (facts, meaning, clarification), a brief factual log to prevent late-night rumination, and concise one-sentence replies that don’t require apologies or elaborate defences. We will conclude with three guiding principles for clearer communication and setting boundaries: integrity, simplicity, and control. If this resonated with you and provides language for something you’ve been struggling to articulate, please subscribe, share this episode with someone who would benefit, and leave a review so that more people can discover the show. What pattern at work are you finally ready to identify? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E24
    July 23 · 14 min

    Why Work Stress Keeps Coming Back: Reading Emotional Triggers

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. When one colleague triggers panic, shrinking, or freezing—it's rarely about them. In this episode with Amy Vincze, we unpack why that coworker activates your nervous system and what your stress response is trying to tell you. Learn how emotional triggers point to older wounds, and why naming them is the real work stress recovery begins. One person at work can flip a switch in us and suddenly we’re not in a normal conversation anymore, we’re in panic, shrinking, or trying to disappear. That’s the moment we unpack today: why the colleague who “shouldn’t” have so much power over our mood might be activating an older emotional wound, and how we can calm the nervous system quickly and safely. I’m joined by Amy to talk about EFT tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) as a practical tool for workplace stress and work anxiety. We walk through three grounding questions you can ask yourself when the same stress keeps coming back: does this person remind me of someone from my past, what exactly about their behaviour makes me feel unsafe, and what is the real threat I’m reacting to? From fear of judgement and criticism to imposter syndrome and fear of rejection, we show how getting specific helps you tap on the true driver of the reaction instead of staying stuck in vague overwhelm. We also cover how often to practice tapping when you’re starting, why repetition lowers intensity faster, and an important caution around severe OCD where tapping may need a gentler approach with professional guidance. If you’re new to EFT, Amy shares a smart starting point: work through your “top fears” first, because symptoms like procrastination often trace back to deeper fear of failure, not being enough, or not belonging. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s carrying work stress, and leave a review. What workplace trigger do you want to reset first? As an EFT specialist myself, I was especially keen to explore this with Amy in a grounded, practical way for people dealing with work stress, anxiety and emotional overwhelm. About Amy Vincze Amy Vincze is an EFT tapping coach with more than 16 years of experience and the founder of the Soar with Tapping App. She helps people use tapping as a practical self-regulation tool for stress, anxiety, emotional overwhelm and recurring emotional patterns. In this three-part series, Amy joins Cheryl to explore what tapping is, how it may help people steady themselves during workplace stress, and how repeated work anxiety triggers can be approached with more curiosity, safety and choice. Website: https://soarwithtapping.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-vincze-1a86063 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soarwithtapping/ Guest Resource Soar with Tapping App Podcast Special Listeners can visit the podcast special page to find a code for 50% off the first year of an annual subscription to the Soar with Tapping App. https://soarwithtapping.com/podcast-special/ 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E22
    July 22 · 20 min

    Press Pause on Work Anxiety | EFT Tapping in 2 Minutes

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. When work anxiety spirals, you don't have a thinking problem—you have a nervous system problem. With Amy Vincze, discover how two minutes of EFT tapping can calm your fight-or-flight response and bring you back to clarity before a big meeting, tough conversation, or moment of overwhelm. This discreet, do-anywhere technique is designed for high-achieving women who need to regain control *right now*—no meditation cushion required. Two minutes can make all the difference between walking into a meeting filled with adrenaline and entering with the calm needed to think and speak clearly. We’re discussing EFT tapping for workplace stress and anxiety, guiding you through a discreet, do-anywhere routine designed specifically for those moments when nerves spike right before a presentation or high-pressure conversation. If public speaking makes your voice shake, your hands tremble, or your mind go blank, you’ll hear a practical script that you can quietly run through during a bathroom break or in a quiet corner just before you go on stage. We also address something often overlooked in self-help advice: forcing positivity can backfire. Instead, we explore why acknowledging your fear is beneficial, how saying “I’m scared” can help calm your swirling thoughts, and how tapping can redirect your attention back to your body, allowing your nervous system to settle naturally. The goal isn’t to pretend you feel confident; it’s to create a sense of safety that enables you to show up and do the task at hand. From there, we broaden our discussion to patterns that many high-functioning individuals, especially women, are all too familiar with, such as over-preparing, over-explaining, or over-apologising to feel secure. We talk about how tapping can help neutralise the fears behind these habits rather than merely covering them up. Amy also introduces her app, Soar We Tap In, which includes quick “boost” options, longer scripts for dealing with overwhelm and anxiety, and a 14-day free trial to explore the complete library. If you’re looking for a grounded, practical way to manage work-related stress in real time, hit play, subscribe, share with a friend who dreads presentations, and leave a review sharing your biggest work stress trigger. As an EFT specialist myself, I was especially keen to explore this with Amy in a grounded, practical way for people dealing with work stress, anxiety and emotional overwhelm. About Amy Vincze Amy Vincze is an EFT tapping coach with more than 16 years of experience and the founder of the Soar with Tapping App. She helps people use tapping as a practical self-regulation tool for stress, anxiety, emotional overwhelm and recurring emotional patterns. Amy joins Cheryl to explore what tapping is, how it may help people steady themselves during workplace stress, and how repeated work-anxiety triggers can be approached with more curiosity, safety, and choice. Website: https://soarwithtapping.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-vincze-1a86063 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soarwithtapping/ Guest Resource Soar with Tapping App Podcast Special Listeners can visit the podcast special page to find a code for 50% off the first year of an annual subscription to the Soar with Tapping App. https://soarwithtapping.com/podcast-special/ 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E21
    July 21 · 20 min

    Burnout Prevention Through Tapping | Nervous System Reset Before Stress Spirals

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. A panic spike at your desk, tension in your body, and your inner critic on overdrive—it feels like it comes out of nowhere. With Amy Vincze, we unpack Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT tapping) as a practical, evidence-informed nervous system reset for high-functioning anxiety and burnout prevention. Learn when to tap, why it works, and how to use it before stress takes over—no pseudoscience required. A panic spike at your desk can feel like it comes out of nowhere, and then suddenly you cannot think straight, your body is tense, and your inner critic gets loud. We sit down with Amy to unpack Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT tapping) in a way that is practical, evidence-informed, and easy to try during a real workday without turning it into a big production. We talk through what EFT tapping actually is: a blend of acupressure points (think acupuncture without needles), cognitive therapy language (saying what is true right now), and somatic therapy (getting out of your head and back into your body). Amy explains the biology of stress, including the amygdala’s threat response and the cortisol surge that can knock your prefrontal cortex offline. When you understand that mechanism, “calming down” stops sounding like a moral failing and starts sounding like nervous system regulation. You will also hear a simple, desk-friendly approach you can use immediately: first, feel where the stress sits in your body for about 90 seconds, then use a short one-minute tapping sequence (eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, under nose, under mouth, collarbone, top of head) with grounding phrases that honour the emotion instead of fighting it. We also address scepticism head-on, share research outcomes discussed in training studies, and explain why stress is not just “in your head” but a whole-body response you can shift. If this helps, subscribe, share the show with someone who is carrying work stress, and leave a review so more people can find practical anxiety relief tools like EFT tapping. As an EFT specialist myself, I was especially keen to explore this with Amy in a grounded, practical way for people dealing with work stress, anxiety and emotional overwhelm. Amy references research and statistics These should be attributed to Amy About Amy Vincze Amy Vincze is an EFT tapping coach with more than 16 years of experience and the founder of the Soar with Tapping App. She helps people use tapping as a practical self-regulation tool for stress, anxiety, emotional overwhelm and recurring emotional patterns. Amy joins Cheryl to explore what tapping is, how it may help people steady themselves during workplace stress, and how repeated work-anxiety triggers can be approached with more curiosity, safety, and choice. Website: https://soarwithtapping.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-vincze-1a86063 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soarwithtapping/ Guest Resource Soar with Tapping App Podcast Special Listeners can visit the podcast special page to find a code for 50% off the first year of an annual subscription to the Soar with Tapping App. https://soarwithtapping.com/podcast-special/ 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E19
    July 20 · 26 min

    The Umbridge Effect: High-Functioning Anxiety & Self-Doubt at Work

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. When one email undoes a week of solid work, is it really about performance—or about how high-functioning anxiety hijacks your identity at work? Meet Roberta, a bus driver who saves lives with her first aid skills, yet finds her confidence crashing after a single critical incident. In this episode, we unpack the 'Umbridge Effect'—how perfectionism and nervous system dysregulation convince high-achieving women to discount their own evidence of competence. You'll learn why job insecurity, stress, and burnout recovery start with reality-testing your thoughts, and practical nervous system regulation techniques to reclaim your confidence when self-doubt spirals. One email can undo a week's worth of solid work, and it's not because you've suddenly become “bad at your job.” We share the story of Roberta, a capable bus driver who remains professional through difficult incidents and even saves a life with her emergency first aid skills, yet finds her confidence diminishing under a manager’s selective attention. When your biggest achievements are overlooked and your smallest mistakes are highlighted in public, it alters your perception of what constitutes evidence about your performance. We explore the underlying mechanics of workplace stress and anxiety: how “email theatre” turns feedback into a public display, how language becomes vague when the team fails but painfully specific when an individual slips, and why control can often appear friendly, cloaked in rules, procedures, and performative concern. Most importantly, we address what’s happening within your body. The nervous system doesn’t analyse paragraphs; it scans for danger. After facing repeated scrutiny, your brain begins to predict the next blow, leading you to rewrite messages, rehearse explanations, and monitor yourself before anyone else even speaks. Next, we provide practical tools for rebuilding informed confidence without disregarding the validity of criticism. We differentiate between what actually happened and what was implied, use quick grounding techniques to signal safety to the body, and create a “full evidence record” to ensure your true competence isn’t edited out of the narrative. If this pattern continues to negatively affect your health, we will also discuss the importance of seeking support rather than shouldering it alone. If this resonates with you, please subscribe, share the episode with someone who could benefit, and leave a review. What’s one win you’ve achieved recently, even if it wasn’t perfect? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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  • S4 · E20
    July 20 · 25 min

    The Kolher Principle | Perfectionism & Work Stress Recovery

    Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. You've done brilliant work. But is it ever 'enough'? Explore the Kohler Principle—why high-achieving women sacrifice nervous system health chasing polish over truth—and the burnout pattern hiding behind your "I'm fine." Cheryl Paris reveals how perfectionism becomes the invisible driver of workplace burnout, and what recovery actually requires. If you’ve ever looked at something you created and thought, “It’s fine… but it doesn’t look impressive enough,” you’re not alone. I’m Cheryl Paris, and I’m exploring a common thread that ties together work stress, anxiety, and perfectionism: our tendency to value polish over truth. A polished presentation, a neatly crafted email, a confident reply, or an attractive wellbeing program can all give the impression of quality. However, presentation is not the same as substance, and when we confuse the two, we start doubting our own judgment and reward appearances instead of true value. We examine how “high standards” can trap us: rewriting, rehearsing, checking, and then doing the invisible second job of making everything appear effortless. This shifting goalpost keeps you in a constant state of work without allowing you to truly land or succeed. I also delve into the fears underlying perfectionism—the belief that if you can achieve perfection, you can ensure your safety. The issue is that you can be fully prepared and still face criticism; not all criticism reflects your true worth. Then, we move into practical territory with a simple framework that you can start using today: good, better, best. These are not measures of your self-worth but levels of investment based on time, energy, and the needs of the situation. I share four questions to help you choose the right standard, along with the ABGW method: Awareness, Balance, Growth, and Wellbeing. This approach aims to alleviate the pressure of work feeling like a judgment of your value. If this resonates with you, please subscribe, share it with a friend who might also be over-polishing their work, and leave a review. What’s one task you’re ready to finish at “good” today? 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 If this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes: https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxiety If you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first: https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxiety 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://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abgwblog 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.

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