Carolyn Apostolou

Carolyn Apostolou is a catalyst for change in workplace wellness and personal resilience. As an accredited coach, mentor, and keynote speaker, she partners with businesses and individuals to implement tailored strategies that reduce stress and prevent burnout. Through programs like her 30-Day Reset, Carolyn equips people with the tools to reclaim energy, build lasting habits, and take control of their wellbeing. Her approach combines evidence-based insights with a deep understanding of leadership and high-performance culture. From executive coaching to team training and large-scale wellbeing initiatives, Carolyn brings warmth, clarity, and measurable impact. Her message is simple but powerful: wellbeing is not just personal—it’s a professional advantage.

Do you know when stress turns into burnout?

Most high-performing professionals don’t see it coming. That’s exactly why this episode of Talking with the Experts is a must-listen.

In this deeply insightful conversation, podcast host Rose Davidson welcomes workplace wellbeing coach and keynote speaker Carolyn Apostolou to unpack the signs, science, and solutions behind chronic stress and burnout. Carolyn, known for her work with businesses and individuals alike, breaks down what stress actually does to your body and mind—and how to catch the early signs before it derails your health or productivity.

Carolyn shares her proven framework: the 5 Health Pillars. These simple yet powerful strategies support mental clarity, energy restoration, and emotional balance. Listeners will learn how to implement wellness routines that stick, reduce overwhelm, and protect performance.

With stories from real clients and actionable advice, Carolyn makes a compelling case for why wellbeing isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership essential.

Whether you’re burned out or just running on empty, this episode provides tools to reset, refocus, and realign with your best self.

🎓 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Understand how chronic stress shows up and leads to burnout.
2. Learn 5 foundational pillars to build resilience and restore energy.
3. Discover early warning signs and micro-habits to maintain long-term wellbeing.

Importance of Wellness in the Workplace

• Carolyn Apostolou emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health and wellbeing in the workplace, as neglecting it can lead to decreased productivity and responsibility in various life aspects.
• Rose Davidson highlights the challenge of separating work stress from home life and vice versa, noting that stress can negatively impact family relationships and personal well-being.

Definition and Effects of Stress

• Carolyn defines stress as the body’s response to a perceived threat, noting that while not all stress is harmful, chronic stress can have detrimental effects on health and wellbeing.
• Common physiological reactions to stress include increased heart rate, muscle tension, and feelings of nausea or heat.
• Emotional responses to stress may include frustration, anger, anxiety, and worry, especially when in a prolonged state of hypervigilance.

Differences Between Low and High Stress Activities

• Low stress activities may result in heightened arousal and a slight increase in heart rate, whereas high stress activities can lead to a freeze response, characterized by hesitation and feeling stuck.
• In high stress situations, individuals may struggle to respond appropriately, leading to indecision about how to handle the stressor.

Impact of Chronic Stress on the Body

• Living in a high-stress state for an extended period can have detrimental effects on the body, including poor sleep, overeating, and procrastination.
• The amygdala plays a role in detecting physical danger or psychological stress, triggering physiological responses such as worry and increased heart rate.

Five Health Pillars for Managing Stress

• Carolyn outlines five health pillars to help manage stress: a healthy diet, socializing, restful sleep, gentle movement, and stress management techniques.
• A healthy diet involves fueling the body with nutritious foods to maintain energy and clarity.
• Socializing emphasizes the importance of social connections both in the workplace and at home to share burdens and gain perspective.
• Restful sleep is crucial, with a recommendation of seven to eight hours per night and consistent sleep patterns.
• Gentle movement suggests incorporating daily physical activity, such as walking, to promote overall health.
• Stress management techniques vary by individual but often include activities like spending time in nature to reset the nervous system.

Burnout and Its Impact

• Chronic stress can lead to burnout, characterized by difficulty getting out of bed, lack of motivation at work, poor eating habits, and sleep deprivation.
• Burnout can strain relationships with family, partners, and colleagues, and may go unnoticed by the individual experiencing it.
• Australia has one of the highest prevalence rates of burnout, highlighting the need for work-life balance and recognizing the signs of burnout in oneself and others.

Recognizing and Addressing Burnout in Others

• If concerned about a colleague’s wellbeing, it is advised to invite them for a casual conversation outside the office to express concern and offer support.
• Encouraging individuals to seek help through workplace Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or other confidential resources is important.
• Strong social connections in the workplace can help identify and address burnout, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ins and conversations.

Work-Life Balance and Its Importance

• Carolyn advocates for work-life balance, sharing personal experience as a mother and business owner to illustrate its feasibility.
• She encourages making incremental improvements in work-life balance, aiming for small, consistent changes that lead to significant progress over time.

Carolyn Apostolou’s Services and Offerings

• Carolyn’s website offers information on workshops, presentations, and one-on-one coaching sessions focused on mental health and wellbeing.
• She provides services such as hypnosis for insomnia, six-month coaching programs, and a 30-day reset program to help individuals improve their health goals.
• Carolyn also runs retreats focusing on leadership and wellness, aimed at inspiring and motivating leaders to prioritize their health and wellbeing.

• Carolyn Apostolou emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health and wellbeing in all areas of life, including workplace productivity and home life.
• Stress is defined as the body’s response to a perceived threat, with chronic stress having negative impacts on health and wellbeing.
• The five health pillars—healthy diet, socializing, restful sleep, gentle movement, and stress management—are crucial for managing stress and preventing burnout.
• Chronic stress leads to burnout, characterized by difficulty getting out of bed, lack of motivation, poor food choices, and overworking, with Australia having one of the highest prevalence rates.
• Building strong social connections in the workplace and at home is essential for recognizing and addressing burnout in oneself and others.
• Carolyn Apostolou offers various services including workshops, one-on-one coaching, 30-day resets, and retreats focused on leadership and wellness to help individuals and organizations improve wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Work-life balance is achievable and important, even for those with busy careers and family lives, by making small, consistent improvements.

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