What if staying busy is not just part of your schedule—but the way your nervous system feels safe?

In this episode, Jess and Claude sit down with licensed clinical social worker Karen Dwyer-Tesoriero to explore the connection between high achievement, people-pleasing, hypervigilance and burnout.

Karen explains why high achievers may feel anxious when they stop working, why setting a boundary can initially feel more uncomfortable than answering the late-night email, and how the pressure to constantly perform can begin much earlier than we realize.

Together, they discuss:

• How mental load and overwhelm can leave us feeling completely stuck
• Why Type A tendencies may be connected to people-pleasing
• The difference between true self-care and expensive “wellness”
• How after-hours emails can send mixed messages to employees
• Why managers should help teams prioritize—not simply add more work
• Grounding techniques for moments of anxiety or panic
• How breathing, movement, pets, music and supportive people can help us co-regulate
• Why burnout begins long before the moment we finally crash

Karen also shares simple ways to create “glimmers”—small moments of safety, connection and calm that help bring the nervous system back down.

Because protecting your energy is not laziness, and you do not have to earn rest by reaching your breaking point.

Connect with Karen Dwyer-Tesoriero:

Website: https://kdtesorierolcsw.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdtesorierolcsw/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karen.a..dwyertes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14iE8QdmpUz/

If this conversation reminded you of someone who is always carrying too much, send them this episode—and keep supporting your Work Besties.

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