Stresslaxing

Stresslaxing is a relatively new term, but in recent times, more people are experiencing it than ever before. Stresslaxing: Being so stressed that relaxing makes you more stressed because you’re not working on what’s making you stressed.

Stresslaxing is a relatively new term, but in recent times, more people are experiencing it than ever before. Stresslaxing: Being so stressed that relaxing makes you more stressed because you’re not working on what’s making you stressed. Even though stresslaxation is a new term, it describes relaxation-induced anxiety, which has been studied for years. This is shown to happen to between 30% and 50% of people when they try to do relaxing things, causing symptoms of stress (such as rapid heart beat or sweating).

Why Some Professionals Feel Anxious When Trying to Relax

In today’s work culture, stress is no longer caused only by heavy workloads — it is increasingly linked to the inability to mentally disconnect from work. This has led to the rise of a relatively new term: Stresslaxing. Stresslaxing describes a state where a person becomes stressed while trying to relax, often feeling guilty or anxious for not working on the issues that are causing stress in the first place.

What Is Stresslaxing?

Stresslaxing happens when:

You try to relax… but your mind refuses to switch off.

Instead of calming the nervous system, relaxation attempts may trigger:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Muscle tension
• Anxiety
• Persistent work-related thoughts

Although the term is new, the phenomenon is well known in psychology as relaxation-induced anxiety, affecting an estimated 30% to 50% of people when they attempt calming activities.

Why Does It Happen?

A Brain Conditioned for Constant Alert

Long-term stress trains the brain to operate in a high-alert state. When relaxation begins, the brain interprets calmness as unfamiliar — even unsafe.

Productivity Guilt

Many professionals, especially leaders, tie self-worth to productivity. When they are not working, they feel:

• Unproductive
• Behind
• Out of control

Avoidance of Internal Thoughts

Constant busyness can serve as a distraction from deeper worries. When activity stops, postponed thoughts resurface.

The Dangerous Paradox

Those who experience stresslaxing are often the ones who need relaxation the most.

But the cycle unfolds like this:

1. They try to relax
2. Anxiety increases
3. They avoid resting in the future
4. Chronic stress builds up
5. Risk of burnout rises

This creates a vicious cycle that can lead to:

• Mood instability
• Persistent tension
• Panic attacks
• Poor decision-making

Impact in the Workplace

Stresslaxing can lead to:

✔ Inability to disconnect from work

✔ Reduced mental recovery

✔ Fatigue-driven decisions

✔ Lower creativity and strategic thinking

✔ Increased burnout risk among leaders

A leader who cannot relax cannot think clearly.

Practical Strategies to Break the Cycle

Redefine Rest

Rest is not laziness — it is performance recovery.

Use Gradual Relaxation

Instead of stopping abruptly, try:

• Light walking
• Short breathing exercises
• Low-pressure activities

Schedule “Worry Time”

Set aside 15 minutes daily to write down work concerns, preventing your brain from looping on them all day.

Close Mental Loops

Before resting, write:

• What you completed
• What comes next
• This restores a sense of control.

Train the Brain to Feel Safe

Mindfulness practices help retrain the nervous system to associate calm with safety.

Stresslaxing is not weakness — it is a signal from an overloaded mind. In a high-pressure world, the ability to relax is a core leadership skill, not a luxury. Effective leaders don’t work all the time… they know when to pause to sustain their ability to lead.