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Asked by hang520herd to stephaniebuttigieg, queeniechan, nicoleb, lukenorman, karinamatei, juliewillecomme, henriettahegedus, Ellen, charlotteslade on 2 Jul 2025.
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Luke Norman answered on 2 Jul 2025:
I used to get very stressed when I was working full time in a chemical laboratory. However, I soon realised that maybe this wasn’t the career for me and decided to make a change and discover what I liked doing the most in science, and what aligned with my skills. This, for me, was science communication. I like talking to people about science but not necessarily being in a lab doing it. Right now, I don’t get stressed at my work because I genuinely love what I do.
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Charlotte Slade answered on 2 Jul 2025:
Yes, definitely. But it’s a specific kind of stress, and I’ve learned to think of it like going to the gym for my brain.
When you lift a heavy weight at the gym, your muscles are under stress. They shake a bit, it’s hard work, and you might feel tired afterwards. But you’re doing it on purpose, because that stress is what makes your muscles stronger.
My job is often like a really intense workout for my brain. When I’m trying to design a new piece of equipment that’s never been built before, or solve a physics problem that has everyone stumped, my brain is working its absolute hardest. That can feel very stressful, just like lifting a heavy weight.
The important thing is knowing how to handle it, just like at the gym. You can’t just lift weights for 8 hours straight! You have to take breaks, drink water, and get a good night’s sleep.
For me, that means stepping away from the problem completely. I’ll take my rescue husky for a long walk, do some drawing, or work on a DIY project at home. When I come back to the “brain gym” the next day, the problem that felt impossibly heavy often feels much more manageable.
So the stress is a sign that I’m challenging myself. And just like exercise, it’s the challenge that leads to growth.
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