You said

I feel stressed at work

Inside you, right now

Rejection registers in the same regions as physical pain.

The feeling

A sense of demand exceeding resources, or worth feeling tied to output.

The body signal

Shoulders up. Jaw tight. Breath in the upper chest.

Possible chemistry

Sustained cortisol and adrenaline; dopamine chasing the next ticked box.

Nervous system mode

Sympathetic dominant; rest brake under-used.

The urge

Push harder, skip lunch, answer one more email.

The trap

Skipping the small reset. The 3 minutes you don't take cost you the next 3 hours of clarity.

The next move

Break the chain for 3 minutes — stand up, step away from the screen, drink water.

Pick one — small is fine

How does it sit in your body now?

What next?

This chemistry mix often becomes more recognisable over time. Your patterns are beginning to form.

A mirror, not a diagnosis. If you feel unsafe, please reach out for real-world help.