Making Sense of Workplace Stress - Finding a Balance Through the Body

Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there. The never-ending to-do list, the meetings that creep into lunch breaks, the emails pinging just as you’re trying to switch off. Our work-lives can be full of purpose and passion — for many of us, it’s where we find meaning, connection, and even energy. But without balance, it can quickly tip into overwhelm.

And we’re not imagining it. According to the Health and Safety Executive (2023), over 875,000 UK workers reported work-related stress, depression, or anxiety last year — and stress was the leading cause of work absence. Burnout is no longer a fringe conversation; it’s become a daily reality for many.

At Msense, we work with people from all walks of life — high-performing professionals, team leaders, and those quietly holding it all together — and we see it all the time: the cost of carrying too much, too often.

What often gets overlooked in the conversation around workplace stress is the body.

Stress isn’t just a mindset issue. It lives in your nervous system. It shows up as a racing heart before a difficult meeting, clenched jaws during tough conversations, or the tight chest when juggling too many demands at once.

That’s where somatic therapy and breathwork can make a real difference.

Somatic simply means “of the body”. It’s about tuning in to what your body is telling you, learning to recognise your stress signals early, and gently supporting your system back into balance. And breathwork? It’s one of the most accessible tools we have — helping to calm the nervous system, lower cortisol, and shift us from survival mode into a state where we can think clearly and feel grounded again.

You don’t need an hour-long routine to feel the benefit. Just a few minutes of focused breathing during your workday can help reset your system and create space between you and the pressure.

We know that work can be fulfilling, creative, and full of meaning. But to show up fully — for your job, your team, and yourself — you need rest, too. Not just time off, but moments to reconnect with yourself.

At Msense, we believe in making sense of the stress you’re carrying, not brushing past it. Through psychoeducation, somatic support, and compassionate connection, we help people reflect, restore balance, and grow from the inside out.

So if you’re feeling the pressure — know that you’re not alone. And there is another way.