S3E18: Wired, Tired and Overwhelmed: The Physiology of Stress with Bianca McLeish

If you’ve worked in a school for more than five minutes, you know that stress in education doesn’t always arrive as a dramatic “I can’t do this anymore” moment. More often, it creeps in quietly through the constant rushing, the emotional load of caring for students, the relentless pace and the thousand tiny demands that pile up before you’ve even finished your coffee. Many educators tell us they’re exhausted, but oddly unable to “switch off.” They’re wired and tired at the same time. And even when they know they need rest, their body won’t cooperate. This isn’t laziness or lack of resilience; it’s physiology. And understanding the difference can be life-changing. In this episode, I’m joined by Bianca McLeish, a school wellbeing consultant, author and former teacher with more than 20 years of classroom experience, to explore what it truly means to move beyond surface-level self-care and into genuine self-preservation. Bianca brings a powerful blend of lived experience and evidence-informed practice, drawing from neuroscience, psychology and Positive Education to help educators understand the physiology of stress, recognise the early warning signs and regulate their nervous system in real time. In this episode, we cover: The difference between self-care and self-preservation, and why the latter is essential for overwhelmed educatorsWhy you can’t think your way out of stress, and the physiological processes driving overwhelmA simple breakdown of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic vs parasympathetic) and how it shapes your daily experiencesWhat nervous system dysregulation looks and feels likeHow to activate the relaxation response even when your brain still senses threatThe science behind the stress cycle, why most teachers struggle to complete it, and how to finally close the loopPractical ways to mobilise stress energy even if you don’t have time or energy for a workoutCommon reasons why educators find it so hard to relaxDaily micro-practices to reduce stress during the school day, not just after it About Bianca: Bianca McLeish is a school wellbeing consultant, author and former teacher with more than 20 years of classroom experience across Australia and the UK. Her journey into educator wellbeing began after experiencing burnout herself - a turning point that led her to explore the science behind stress, resilience and sustainable wellbeing. Drawing on a Master of Education in Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bianca blends neuroscience, psychology, Positive Education and lived experience to help teachers regulate stress, restore balance and reconnect with their purpose. As the founder of The Teacher Wellbeing Academy and author of Teacher Wellbeing Transformed: Break Free From Survival Mode Before Burnout, she offers compassionate, evidence-informed strategies that support both individual educators and whole-school communities to thrive. Her mission is to help educators move beyond surface-level self–care and build genuine, sustainable wellbeing rooted in nervous system regulation, practical tools and the belief that teachers deserve to feel safe, supported and empowered. Links and Resources: Explore our Well-Led Schools Partnership Program Get Bianca’s Book: Teacher Wellbeing Transformed: Break Free from Burnout: A Research-Based Guide for Real Teachers Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, so that we can inspire and educate even more people together. Connect with Biance via: Website: https://theteacherwellbeingacademy.com.au/ Email: [e-mail] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-mcleish-811129271 Facebook: The Teacher Wellbeing Academy Instagram: @theteacherwellbeingacademy Connect with me via: My website: adriennehornby.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/ Email: [e-mail] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.