When Your Body Says “No” at Work
You don’t always need big drama in your life for your body to start saying, “Enough is enough!” Sometimes, it whispers through headaches, exhaustion, or strange aches and pains that we easily ignore. Other times, it yells loud and clear, forcing you to stop.
Your body has a mind of its own. Not the one you consciously use to fit into the world or tick off your to-do list, but the one you suppress so you can “just get on with it.” But when you ignore it for too long, it fights back.
The Wake-Up Call
Let me explain and share a personal story first. I learned this the hard way. I was raised with the classic “keep going, don’t cry, others have it worse” mindset. Growing up in a challenging household, my survival mode was constantly switched on, and my body got used to living in a state of fight or flight. Fast forward to adulthood, throw in some toxic work relationships and the stress of endless people-pleasing, and my body eventually said, “NO!”
What started for me as minor discomforts spiraled into a series of chronic autoimmune diseases over the last 7 years. Dr Gabor Maté and Dr Joe Dispenza explain this link well: suppressed emotions, especially anger, can turn against the body, triggering illness. Dr Bessel van der Kolk also shows how unresolved trauma gets stored in the body, creating a feedback loop of stress and pain.
As an empath and Highly Sensitive Person, my survival strategy had always been to please others, whether at home, in meetings, or at work. 'Don’t cause a scene, don’t get angry!' was my inner mantra. But those who know me well, also know that when the emotional bucket of suppressed anger finally overflows, the resulting outburst can be overwhelming and no one wants that, least of all me.
At some point, though, my body decided for me that it had enough. It gave me no choice but to face the truth and demand change.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted, constantly on edge, or physically unwell for reasons you can’t explain, it might be your body trying to tell you something too. Suppressed emotions don’t disappear, they show up in unexpected ways
The Bigger Picture: Our Workplaces
So, what does this all have to do with your team? Everything.
We’re living in a world where workplaces often push people to the limit. Everyone is expected to function like an 80-hour-per-week robot—perfectly productive and emotionless. Women especially feel the pressure to compartmentalise their personal lives, showing up at work as if menopause, childcare, or sleepless nights don’t exist. Men face it too, expected to never show vulnerability.
I don't have to tell you that this rat race isn’t working. When someone burns out or gets sick, the rest of us lower our heads and hope we’re not next. But this constant stress is catching up with all of us.
Have you ever looked around and wondered how long you can keep up the pace? You’re not alone. Many of us feel the pressure to keep going, even when it’s costing us our health.
What the Numbers Tell Us
So consider this:
Around 76% of employees report feeling burnt out at least some of the time.
Dr Gabor Maté notes that chronic stress isn’t just an emotional burden; it weakens the immune system and damages overall health.
Dr Bessel van der Kolk reminds us that trauma doesn’t just live in our minds but is deeply rooted in our bodies.
"Our toxic work culture isn’t just unpleasant, it’s quietly making us sick. Chronic health conditions don’t appear out of nowhere; they’ve often been brewing beneath the surface for years."
What Leaders Can Do
If you’re a team leader, it’s time to ask: What can I do to stop this cycle? Real change begins with empathy and action.
🧡 Listen to your team: Encourage open, honest conversations about stress, wellbeing, and workload.
🌱 Model healthy behaviours: Take breaks, prioritise balance, and show that self-care isn’t a weakness.
🚦 Reimagine success: Move away from hustle culture and celebrate quality over quantity.
✨ Foster safety: Create an environment where mistakes aren’t met with blame but with collaboration and growth.
Why It Matters
My journey through illness taught me that our bodies tell the truth, even when we don’t want to listen. If we want workplaces to thrive, we need to treat people as humans, not robots. By addressing stress, emotional suppression, and toxic culture head-on, we can build healthier, more successful teams.
Time For Team MOT!!
If your team is ready for real change, I’d love to help. Let’s have a complimentary MOT chat and explore how we can make your workplace a space where people thrive.
Tineke Zoet Mphil | Maritime Workplace Coach | www.tinekezoet.com | hello@tinekezoet.com
