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Stress: A Very British Thing… or Worldwide?

Simon Robson
Feb 5
3 min read

Updated: Mar 17

Ah, stress. It’s the marmalade of modern life – sticky and all over the place! Everyone’s got it, but much like politics or sport, it’s as vague as a special guest on a reality TV show.

What is Stress?

Think of it this way: if stress were a sport, it’d be as bewildering as cricket to an outsider – with rules that make sense only to those deeply invested. We toss around the word stress with the same reckless abandon as we do teabags in a cuppa. But what do we truly mean by it? Is it the relentless email ping that haunts you, or the way your boss summons you like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat?

Just like IT – another catch-all term encompassing everything from fixing the Wi-Fi to moon landing simulations – stress is a broad concept. When someone says they work in IT, what they might really mean is they're one cat meme away from total network collapse. So why should stress be any different?

Is Stress a British Thing?

Let’s consider this: is stress really a British speciality? After all, we’re famous for the stiff upper lip – managing discomfort with a cup of tea and a biscuit. British reserve often means we avoid openly addressing stress, preferring to say, “I’m fine, thanks,” even when we’re anything but.

But stress isn’t confined to the UK. Cultures around the world face their own pressures. In Japan, there’s the concept of karoshi – death from overwork. In the US, it’s hustle culture and constant connectivity. What sets British stress apart maybe our love of understatement and our knack for finding humour, even in the most trying situations.

How Can Life Coaching Help?

That’s where life coaching comes in – and not just any life coaching. Imagine having your very own Sherlock Holmes of stress, someone who can deduce the true stressors in your life faster than you can say, “Elementary, my dear Watson.” Life coaches are like the James Bonds of personal growth – equipped with simple, practical tools that are more effective than your grandma’s remedy for everything (a good night's kip).

Having a life coach isn’t about vague promises or forcing you into the latest buzzword trend – you know, the ones as perplexing as the plot of a Dickens novel. It’s about pinpointing precisely what sends your stress levels rocketing higher than your sugar intake post-biscuit binge.

Coaches provide bespoke guidance, akin to having a tailor fashion the perfect tweed jacket. They’ll help you hone in on the real stressors – from your neighbour's dog, who barks at precisely 3:05 p.m., to the existential dread sparked by the phrase annual performance review. With the right coach, you’ll be armed with an arsenal of practical ideas – like dodging the question, “How’re you doing?” at the watercooler or mastering the art of politely declining yet another mind-numbing Zoom call.

So, next time stress looms, think of it less as a monolith and more as an eclectic assortment of concerns – as British as calling dinner tea. With the right coaching, you’ll navigate the chaos like a pro, tea in hand, and maybe even manage a cheeky grin.

Daily 5-Minute Stress Write: A Practical Tip from Re-Fresh Coaching

Here’s a simple stress management exercise to try:

Schedule Time: Set aside five minutes daily for stress reflection.
Alarm Reminder: Use an alarm to signal the start of this practice.
One-Word Focus: In that time, write down your stress points using one or two words. Keep it handwritten, not typed, to make it personal. These are your words – whatever comes to mind. Be as honest, sweaty, or creative as you like!
Release: When the time is up, review what you’ve jotted down.
Physically Dispose: Scrunch and toss the paper or, if it’s sensitive, shred or burn it. The act of disposal symbolises releasing these stressors.
Reflect: Notice the mental relief and sense of control this small ritual brings. Maybe smile, chuckle, or – if alone – have a giggle or laugh about it all.