Built Not Born Podcast · 17 November 2023
Are We All Too Stressed? How We Deal With Pressure in Business and Life
Chris and Helen explore what stress means to them, how differently they react under pressure, and the practical things they use to reset, think clearly and keep difficult moments in perspective.
Episode guide
About this episode
Stress is a word Chris and Helen hear and use often, but in this episode they question what it means in everyday business and family life. They are careful to separate short periods of feeling overwhelmed from longer-term mental health problems, while making clear that genuine stress, anxiety and depression deserve proper support.
Their own reactions to pressure are noticeably different. Helen describes herself as reactive and open with her emotions. Talking to Chris or trusted friends helps her make sense of what has happened, while music, quiet time in the car and walking the dog give her space to reset. She also reflects on becoming more conscious of the language she uses around stress, particularly in front of their son.
Chris approaches stressful moments more methodically. His instinct is to step away from the immediate emotion, create some quiet, walk or pace, and work out what needs to happen next. He sees making a decision as important, even when the answer is not guaranteed to be right, because avoiding a decision can leave a problem standing still.
That contrast is part of how they work together. Helen often wants to explore different possibilities, while Chris tends to make a call and move forward. Rather than treating those differences as a problem, they describe how each approach can help the other see a situation from another angle.
The conversation also turns to counselling and the stigma that can still surround asking for help. Helen shares her own past experience of counselling and how having space to talk through her childhood, relationships and work helped her reflect on her reactions and choices. Their view is that support for mental wellbeing should be treated with the same seriousness as support for a physical problem.
Finally, they bring the discussion back to a familiar source of pressure: Christmas. They talk about the financial and emotional expectations people can place on themselves, and why they would rather focus on time together, shared memories and simple traditions than feeling forced to spend beyond what feels comfortable. The episode ends, inevitably, with a debate about when it is acceptable to start watching Christmas films.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- Chris and Helen recognise that they react to pressure in very different ways, with Helen more likely to talk through emotions and Chris more likely to step away, assess the problem and make a decision.
- Music, time alone in the car and walking the dog are some of the ways Helen creates space to reset when she feels overwhelmed.
- Chris describes using movement, quiet and a methodical problem-solving approach to separate the emotion of a stressful situation from the action needed to resolve it.
- They discuss the value of sharing problems with trusted people and the support that counselling can provide when someone is struggling.
- The episode also looks at the pressure people can put on themselves around Christmas and why time with family matters more to them than spending for the sake of it.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
How do Chris and Helen deal with stress differently?
Helen tends to talk through what has happened and share how she feels, while Chris is more likely to step away, create some quiet and work out a practical plan for solving the problem.
What helps Helen when she feels overwhelmed?
Helen talks about using music, time alone in the car, walking the dog, fresh air and conversations with trusted people to create space and reset.
What helps Chris manage stressful business situations?
Chris describes removing himself from the immediate environment, walking or pacing, separating the emotion from the problem and then making a decision about what to do next.
What do Chris and Helen say about counselling?
They speak positively about counselling and challenge the stigma around seeking support. Helen also shares how counselling helped her reflect on her past experiences, relationships and responses to difficult situations.
How do they think people can reduce pressure around Christmas?
Their view is that spending time with people you care about matters more than feeling pressured to spend heavily on presents, and that family memories can be more meaningful than the amount of money spent.