Dr. Narendra BS Lead Consultant  Endocrinology & Diabetologyat , Aster Whitefield Hospital

 

Feeling restless when work slows down? Experts explain why corporate workers may become
conditioned to chronic stress, not  quot;addicted quot; to cortisol, and how prolonged stress affects the brain,
metabolism, heart and overall health.

 

For many professionals, being constantly busy has become a symbol of success. Packed calendars,
late night emails, skipped lunch breaks and working through weekends are often celebrated as signs
of ambition and commitment. Yet, what happens when the body begins to see this relentless pace as
its new normal?

 

Social media has popularised the phrase "cortisol addiction quot; to describe people who seem unable to
slow down or relax. While the term is catchy, doctors say it oversimplifies a much more complex
physiological process. People are not literally addicted to cortisol the bodys primary stress
hormone but they can become conditioned to chronic stress, where the brain and body remain in a
prolonged state of alertness.

 

This constant activation of the bodys stress response can have far reaching consequences. Beyond
mental exhaustion, chronic stress is associated with poor sleep, impaired concentration, anxiety,
weight gain, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance and an increased risk of cardiovascular
disease. The problem is especially relevant among corporate employees, who often face long

 

working hours, digital overload and blurred boundaries between professional and personal life.
Understanding how chronic stress reshapes the body, and recognising when "being busy" has
crossed into an unhealthy pattern, is the first step towards protecting both physical and mental
health.

 

What Is Cortisol And Why Is It Important?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to signals from the brain. It plays a
vital role in helping the body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar, regulating blood pressure,
reducing inflammation and mobilising energy.

 

Under normal circumstances, cortisol follows a daily rhythm, peaking in the morning to help wake
the body and gradually declining throughout the day. During stressful situations, cortisol temporarily
rises to help people respond effectively.

 

Problems arise when this stress response remains switched on for weeks, months or even years.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic workplace stress that is poorly managed
can contribute to burnout, a syndrome characterised by exhaustion, increased mental distance from
work and reduced professional effectiveness.

 

Are People Really Addicted To Cortisol?
According to Dr. Narendra BS, Lead Consultant Endocrinology amp; Diabetology, Aster Whitefield,
the phrase "cortisol addiction" is medically misleading. quot;People often say this is being addicted to

 

cortisol,but medically its actually more accurate to say we have become conditioned to chronic
stress. The body was never built to stay in a state of high alert all day, every day."

 

He explains that cortisol itself is not harmful. "Cortisol is a crucial hormone. It helps us meet
challenges, but when the stress response keeps getting triggered over and over, without enough
time to recover, it starts to ripple through almost every organ system. quot;

 

Rather than becoming addicted to the hormone, many people unknowingly train their brains to
associate constant urgency with productivity, making periods of rest feel uncomfortable or even
guilt inducing.

 

Why Corporate Workers Are Particularly At Risk
Todays workplace has created an "always on" culture. Remote work, smartphones and instant
messaging mean employees remain connected long after office hours. Many professionals routinely
answer emails late into the night, skip breaks and sacrifice sleep to meet deadlines.

 

Dr. Narendra says this pattern has become increasingly common in clinical practice. quot;Over the last
decade, I& ve noticed a change in the way people talk inside the clinic. Back then, stress was
something people wanted to avoid. Now, many wear it like a badge of honour."

 

He adds: The second the workload eases, they get uneasy, almost restless and begin asking
themselves, Am I doing enough?' At that point, it doesnt feel like ambition anymore. It feels like the

 

mind has learned to run in survival mode."
Research published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and WHO has linked long working
hours with a significantly increased risk of stroke and ischaemic heart disease, highlighting that
excessive work can have measurable health consequences.

 

How Chronic Stress Affects The Body
When cortisol remains elevated for prolonged periods, multiple organ systems are affected.
Common symptoms include:

 

 Persistent fatigue
 Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
 Anxiety and irritability
 Poor sleep quality
 Frequent headaches
 Digestive disturbances
 Elevated blood pressure
 Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
 Increased blood sugar levels
 Reduced immunity
Long term exposure to chronic stress has also been associated with insulin resistance, type 2diabetes, obesity, depression and cardiovascular disease. The American Psychological Association
notes that chronic stress can disrupt nearly every biological system, increasing vulnerability to
numerous chronic illnesses.

 

Why Rest Feels Uncomfortable
One overlooked consequence of chronic stress conditioning is psychological discomfort during
periods of inactivity. People accustomed to constant stimulation may experience guilt while taking

 

breaks or anxiety during weekends. Instead of feeling refreshed, they become restless because the
brain has adapted to functioning in a continuous state of urgency.

 

Dr. Narendra observes: "Always being available has come to be identified with commitment. We
celebrate long hours of work, lack of breaks for meals and sleeping next to our laptop without
realising these are signs that recovery has disappeared from our schedules."
Breaking The Cycle

Managing chronic stress does not require avoiding responsibility or ambition. Instead, it involves
allowing the bodys stress response to switch off regularly. Dr. Narendra emphasises: "Managing this
isnt about avoiding hard work. Its about teaching the brain that rest is also productive."
He recommends simple, sustainable habits, including:

 

 Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
 Taking short movement breaks every hour
 Eating regular meals
 Setting boundaries after work
 Scheduling screen free time
 Exercising regularly
 Practising mindfulness or breathing exercises
 Staying socially connected
"The most resilient professionals aren't the ones who are on 24×7; they are the ones who know
when to switch off," he says.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
Occasional stress is a normal part of life. However, medical evaluation is recommended if stress
symptoms:

 

 Persist for several weeks
 Interfere with work performance
 Cause insomnia
 Lead to frequent panic attacks
 Trigger persistent high blood pressure
 Cause unexplained weight gain
 Result in depression or thoughts of self-harm
Early intervention, including lifestyle changes, counselling or medical treatment where appropriate,
can help prevent long-term complications.

The modern workplace often rewards busyness, but constant pressure should not be mistaken for
productivity. While people cannot become biologically "addicted" to cortisol, they can become

conditioned to chronic stress, keeping the bodys alarm system switched on long after the
immediate challenge has passed.

 

Recognising the warning signs, protecting recovery time and redefining success beyond long working
hours can help reduce the long-term health risks associated with chronic stress. As Dr. Narendra
concludes, productivity should be measured by the quality of work, not by how exhausted we are at
the end of the day.