Humans Weren't Built for This: Why Chronic Stress is Breaking Us - and What to Do About it

Let’s get one thing straight: humans were never designed to live like this.

Our bodies are wired for survival. Cortisol-the stress hormone everyone loves to hate-isn’t evil. In fact, it’s brilliant. It’s what gives you the edge to run from danger, fight back, or stay alert when the stakes are high. It evolved to help us survive immediate threats, like a saber-toothed tiger lunging out of the bushes. It spikes, does its job, and then subsides so we can return to baseline.

But here’s the problem: we never come down anymore.

Modern life is serving up a relentless stream of stressors-economic pressure, climate anxiety, social tension, political chaos, and soul-sapping workloads. And it’s hitting those who care the most, the hardest. People in the charitable sector, in healthcare, in education-the ones driven by purpose-are running on fumes. We’re constantly being asked to do more with less, give more than we have, and show up even when we’re completely drained. It’s noble, yes-but it’s not sustainable.

We are not built to be in a state of constant crisis. Chronic stress breaks the system. It hijacks your body, clouds your judgment, weakens your immune system, and chips away at your emotional resilience. Over time, it doesn’t just make you tired-it changes who you are and it can have long term even fatal health consequences. That’s not "burnout". That’s biology.

But here’s the good news: you’re not powerless. You can fight back-biochemically.

When you understand that your brain is a pharmacy, you can learn how to dose it better. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin-these feel-good chemicals aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential tools. And the best part? You don’t need a retreat in Bali or a prescription to access them.

• A walk outside? That’s dopamine.

• A hot bath with no interruptions? That’s serotonin.

• Laughing with a friend or cuddling your dog? That’s oxytocin.

• Even secretly eating that emergency chocolate stash? Yep, still counts.

  
  

These are not indulgences. These are interventions. And while it might sound like fluff, shifting your mindset matters too. Scarcity thinking-believing there’s never enough time, money, support, or energy-puts your brain in survival mode. Again, more cortisol. But intentional positivity - which is NOT toxic positivity, even if it feels forced at first, does the opposite. No, you don’t have to start a gratitude journal, but you might want to try it.

Embrace your body's biology and science: choosing to focus on what’s working, what’s good, what’s possible literally rewires your brain. It builds mental resilience and moves you from scarcity to abundance-from fear to capability.

Because here’s the real bottom line: We need you well.The world’s big problems don’t get solved by burned-out, hollowed-out people. They get solved by calm, clear, capable minds with fire in their hearts and fuel in the tank.

So do the thing. Take the walk. Hide the chocolate. Skip the gratitude journal if you want to—but find your way to flip the switch. Your biology is your ally. Use it.

Kimberley Mackenzie, CPCC, ACC, CFRE is a leadership coach, facilitator, trainer, speaker and consultant. A charity executive for 25 years, Kimberley built a six-figure consultancy and has a global executive coaching practice. She is certified by the International Coaching Federation as an Associate Certified Coach and by the Co-Active Training Institute as a Certified Co-Active Professional Coach. She is the former editor for Charity eNews, an AFP Master Trainer and Group Facilitator. You can find Kimberley in Stratford, Ontario walking her dogs along the Avon River and you can reach her at k@kimberleymackenzie.ca