thebrokernews Podcast Episode 7: “Stress is not the problem” – Why we need it and how to manage it properly

Stress is not an enemy, but an evolutionary gift – if we understand it and deal with it correctly. In conversation with stress expert Chris Wilson, thebrokernews podcast debunks common myths and shows ways to achieve sustainable wellbeing in business and private life

Stress has no fixed character. For Chris Wilson, it is not simply “good” or “bad”, but a dynamic phenomenon: “Stress is fluid,” says the coach, who advises international managers and companies. There is “eustress“, which motivates us and makes us productive – and “distress“, which wears us down. What matters is the dose, the duration and how well our body can cope with the stress.

Value gap instead of knowledge gap

Whether it’s sleep, exercise or a healthy diet – most people know exactly what they should be doing. So why don’t they do it anyway? “It’s rarely because of knowledge, but because of prioritization,” says Wilson. Many people put the needs of others above their own, sacrificing health, sleep and relationships for a job, status or financial security. According to Wilson, dealing with stress in a sustainable way starts with honest self-reflection: “What is really important to me – and where is there a value gap?”

Companies under stress – and what they can do about it

Stress is not just an individual problem, but also a structural one. Companies in particular often lack a culture of active recovery. Wilson advocates so-called “3+1 rhythms”: three weeks of full performance, followed by a week of reduced intensity for reflection, administration and team bonding. An idea that may seem like a provocation to some managers – but it’s not about working less, but about working smarter.

And: “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Wilson uses modern technology, such as biomarkers from saliva samples, to make stress levels visible. This enables companies to identify risk profiles and take targeted preventative measures – not least an opportunity for the insurance industry, as Wilson emphasizes.

Wearables, data and the mirror of physiology

The market is full of tools that tell us if we are stressed – but often the context is missing. A high heart rate while jogging is not a sign of negative stress. Wilson sees data as having the potential to create real awareness – provided it is interpreted intelligently. “The conversation behind the data is crucial,” he emphasizes.

Hierarchy or self-organization – which causes less stress?

More autonomy, more well-being? Not always. Wilson emphasizes that self-organized teams are not automatically less stressful. The decisive factor is not the model, but how much control and security people subjectively experience. In traditional hierarchies, perceived stress is often highest at the lower ranks – partly because there is a lack of control and status.

Burnout is more than fatigue

Another misconception: that a week’s vacation is enough to cure burnout. “Burnout is a trauma,” says Wilson. “It takes time, support and behavioral change.” The consequences of stress can be measured physiologically – from inflammation to impaired insulin regulation. A permanently elevated cortisol level can lead to chronic illnesses. And: many people live for years in a state that they perceive as “normal”, even though their body has long been running on empty.

The path to a healthy ego – and to healthy organizations

The central message: health is not an individual luxury project, but a shared responsibility. For individuals, managers – and entire industries. Chris Wilson’s vision: companies that understand health as a strategic value and actively shape it. Data can help to make the right decisions. But it all starts with a simple conversation. An honest look in the mirror.

Listen and read also: thebrokernews Podcast Episode 6 with Newton Bezeng from BeNew Insurance in Cameroon