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.