Stress Won’t Save the World (And Neither Will You, If You Burn Out)
- Clément Marceau
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
You want to save the planet, fight inequality, design buildings that actually respect life, basically do something that matters? Awesome.
But here’s the trap that 90% of committed people fall into: they burn out.
Why? Because they work like maniacs, fueled by stress and sleepless nights, convinced that their exhaustion is proof of their dedication. Spoiler: it’s not. Sacrificing yourself on the altar of a good cause is just a fancy way of saying "I’m totally burned out, but it’s for a noble reason."
So today, let’s talk about a radical concept: what if you could do good work without being in a constant state of panic?
The Problem with Stress (And Your Illusion of Efficiency)
Let’s be real: your brain works like a 2017 iPhone. It can handle a decent number of tasks, but the second you throw too many notifications at it, it starts glitching.
Stress is literally your nervous system screaming:
"Dude, we’re in danger! Either we fight or we run, but THINKING IS NOT AN OPTION!"
The result? You’re tense, exhausted, snappy, and you start forgetting important stuff (like eating anything other than coffee and dry biscuits). Basically, you think you’re working better, but you’re actually just working worse for longer.
Neuroscientist Stephen Porges, creator of Polyvagal Theory, explains:
“Our ability to be creative and engage with others depends on our physiological state. A stressed body means a survival-mode brain.”📖 His book here
Translation: If your job is to imagine a better future, stop acting like you're trapped in a zombie apocalypse.
Why "Burning Out for the Cause" Is a Huge Contradiction
If your dream is a world that’s more peaceful, more just, and more inclusive, then guess what? You have to start living those values.
Otherwise, you’re just copy-pasting toxic dynamics with a different logo.
Overworking yourself in hardcore capitalist mode, but for the environment? Still hardcore capitalism.
Losing your mind for a "good cause"? Still acting from fear.
Working non-stop and forgetting to live? Still a cycle of exploitation, just with a nobler mission.
You don’t preach peace with a gun and expect change. If we want a more balanced world, we have to embody that balance first.
As Bessel van der Kolk, trauma and body specialist, puts it:
“Feeling at home in your own body is the first step to feeling at home in your life and in your relationships.”📖 His book here
3 Somatic Techniques to Stop Being a Walking Pressure Cooker
Since your nervous system is about as stable as a stressed-out cat in an airport, here are three simple techniques to regulate yourself and avoid crashing into a wall.
1. How to Wake Up Without Feeling Like a Zombie 😃
Method: Energizing breathwork + body shaking
Get up and shake your whole body (yes, like a wet dog).
Inhale deeply through your nose, exhale forcefully through your mouth.
Raise your arms as you inhale, drop them with a sigh as you exhale.
Why does it work?It signals to your body, "Hey, it’s cool, we’re awake now, no need to drag ourselves to coffee like a sloth."
2. How to Stop a Meltdown in the Middle of the Day 💥
Method: Coherent breathing (a.k.a. "hacking your nervous system")
Inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds.
Do this for 5 minutes (yes, it’s long, but less time-consuming than freaking out at your coworker).
Why does it work?Because it stabilizes your heart and brain, calming the stress response.
As David Servan-Schreiber, stress expert, says:
“A calm state comes from a regulated heart. Breathe slowly, and your stress will disappear faster than a politician dodging a tough question.”📖 His book here
3. How to Actually Wind Down at Night Instead of Doomscrolling 🌙
Method: Self-rocking + extended exhale
Lie down and gently sway your torso side to side.
Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds (always exhale longer).
Place a hand on your belly, breathe into it, and feel yourself relax.
Why does it work?Rocking activates the parasympathetic nervous system, mimicking the natural calming movements of babies.
Conclusion: You Can Be an Activist AND Feel Good in Your Body
If you want to be effective over the long haul, stop operating in total war mode. Nobody changed the world by becoming an exhausted zombie.
You want more peace in the world? Start by creating more peace in yourself.
You want more inclusivity? Include yourself in the equation.
You want lasting change? Start by not self-destructing.
And if someone tells you that "real activism means sacrifice," remind them that even Gandhi took time to walk and breathe.
So go shake off that tension, take a real breath, and stop believing that stress is a superpower. It’s just a shortcut to burnout.
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