When you're stressed, the standard advice is to reduce what's on your plate. And sometimes that's the right call. But if you've ever found yourself cutting things back, only to end up in the same place a few months later—this episode is for you.

There's a simple way to look at stress that most people haven't seen laid out clearly. Once you see it, it changes what you pay attention to—and what you actually do about it.

This episode reframes how to think about stress, why common strategies stop working over time, and what a different approach might look like in practice.

Includes a short, low-effort experiment you can try this week.

My Breathing Mind Podcast is created for professionals navigating stress, burnout, and the journey back to themselves. All episodes are written and produced by Ruth Kao Barr, burnout specialist, leadership & wellbeing coach.