Toxic Work Spaces

27/08/2025

Have you ever felt like you’re just going through the motions at work, present in the meeting, replying to emails, but deep down, you feel completely detached?

That numbness isn’t laziness or a lack of drive. It’s your body’s self-protective mechanism. When you’re stuck in a toxic work environment, your brain and body can enter what’s called a “collapse” state shutting down emotions to avoid overwhelming pain and stress.

While that numbness might shield you temporarily, it also robs you of joy, creativity, and the ability to fully thrive at work.

In our latest blog, we unpack how this shows up in toxic work spaces and most importantly, how you can begin to regain control through our Toxicity Exposure Mapping and advisory sessions.

Link in bio to read the full piece 👇

https://toxicworkspaces.com/2025/08/26/when-trauma-numbs-you-in-a-toxic-work-space/

10/03/2025

Most conversations about workplace stress focus on fight or flight BUT what about shutdown?

Shutdown is the most common response to toxic work spaces, yet it’s the least understood. Instead of running or resisting, the nervous system collapses, conserving energy for survival. This can look like:

⚫ Numbness & detachment
⚫ Feeling “stuck” in a toxic job
⚫ Losing motivation & passion
⚫ Disappearing into work to cope

And yet, people are shamed for not “just leaving” or fighting back. But it’s not weakness—it’s physiology. The body shuts down when escape feels impossible.

At toxicworkspaces.com, we help professionals understand and reclaim their nervous system, so they can move from survival mode to conscious living.

If your workplace has drained your energy & clarity, let’s talk. We believe you deserve to thrive, not just endure.

21/12/2024

Did you know that by this time of the year, most professionals have depleted their ‘surge capacity’—the ability to adapt to ongoing stressful situations? This depletion doesn’t just affect productivity; it chips away at resilience, leaving professionals struggling to navigate daily workplace challenges.

Unfortunately, many organizations fail to recognize that repeated exposure to high stress and toxicity can constitute trauma. The workplace, for many, has become an ongoing source of aggressive interactions, unresolved tensions, and emotional exhaustion.

As we approach the end of the year, professionals may look forward to a brief relief from work, but let’s acknowledge the reality: many are carrying the weight of unresolved toxicity and continued exposure to harmful dynamics.

This is why conscious leadership is no longer optional—it’s essential. Leaders must be willing to:

👉 Acknowledge the cost of toxicity. Workplaces that ignore the impact of chronic stress are risking their most valuable asset: their people.

👉 Create environments that heal, not harm. Conscious leaders take deliberate steps to foster safety, inclusion, and growth for their teams.

👉 Address trauma through action. It’s not enough to be aware; leaders must invest in the well-being of their teams, providing resources, training, and support to rebuild resilience.

It's my hope that in 2025, most leaders will commit to building workplaces that help everyone thrive by starting with more conscious leadership that’s willing to face its blind spots and lead with intention.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

18/11/2024

What color is your organization?

Is it Red, Amber, Orange, Green, or Teal?

Every organization operates within a paradigm that shapes its culture, decision-making, and success. From the rigid hierarchies of Amber to the adaptable self-management of Teal, understanding your organization's "color" is the key to unlocking its full potential.

In our latest blog post, we explore the spectrum of organizational structures and what they mean for your growth and sustainability. Link to our blog post 👇

https://toxicworkspaces.com/2024/11/16/what-color-is-your-organization/

If you’re ready to diagnose your organization’s color and start the journey toward reinvention, let’s talk. We help leaders design spaces where employees thrive and innovation drives success.

11/11/2024

If you're recovering from Toxic Work Spaces, we'd like to remind you that timing is everything. There's when and when not to process your experiences.

For long, toxic work spaces have become a hidden source of long-term harm for so many professionals. The stress, tension, and exhaustion they experience at work don’t just stay in the office—they follow YOU home and affect every aspect of your life.

We’re here to support African professionals in reclaiming their peace, resilience, and self-worth. But healing from a toxic work space needs careful timing here's why 👇

Timing matters because when a person’s been through a toxic work space, they’re often on “high alert,” a survival response meant to protect—but it can block deep healing. That’s why we focus on restoring safety and calm before diving into the past.

Our approach is as follows:

📌 We start by helping clients reconnect with stability and self-care.

📌 With self-regulation techniques, they discover their inner strength.

📌Only once calm is established do we explore past experiences carefully, avoiding emotional overload and fostering resilience.

Wishing you all a wonderful day and if you are in a toxic work space, or have recently left and would like our support in unpacking your experience, get in touch with us today.

07/10/2024

Surviving a toxic work space leaves deep scars. It’s not easy to talk about because it means reliving that pain all over again. But staying silent only gives the experience more power.

At Toxic Work Spaces, we’re here to create safe spaces where you can unburden, heal, and reclaim your voice. You don’t have to carry that weight alone.

Are you ready to start the conversation on why it's hard to talk about Toxic Work Spaces? Visit our website to read more 👇

https://toxicworkspaces.com/2024/10/06/why-we-struggle-to-talk-about-toxic-work-spaces/

Why We Struggle to Talk About Toxic Work Spaces / toxicworkspaces, wellbeing There are moments in our professional lives when the words fail us. We want to speak, to unburden ourselves, but there’s a lump in our throat, holding us back. At times, we can’t talk about it, not because we don’t wa...

03/10/2024

So many professionals rush into the next job, thinking that just moving on will solve everything. But the truth is that unresolved trauma from toxic work spaces can follow you—impacting your confidence, your relationships, and your well-being.

Before diving into your next chapter, it’s crucial to pause, reflect, and process what happened. Whether it's through self-reflection, counseling, or support from others who’ve been through the same, unpacking your experience is the key to true recovery.

We’ve shared some insights on why this process is so important and how you can start healing in my latest blog post. If you’ve left a toxic work space (or are planning to), this one's for you.

Read the full post here 👇 https://toxicworkspaces.com/2024/10/03/leaving-a-toxic-work-space/ and start the journey toward reclaiming your career with confidence.

02/10/2024

Why do so many organizations still fail to see the root cause of employee burnout?

We noted that it's often not about a lack of wellness programs or initiatives. It’s the environment itself—the toxic dynamics and pressure—that's making employees sick in the first place. Yet, no amount of new wellness programs seem to truly fix the issue.

Most workplace wellness programs fall short because health and well-being are far more complex than getting people to exercise or undergo health screenings. The real issue is that somewhere along the line, we forgot that the workplace is made up of human beings. In our race for productivity and efficiency, the human element got lost, and now, many professionals are sick, exhausted, and disengaged.

You can have the worst work-life balance/blend, a job that drains you, and a boss that frustrates you, and no fitness tracker will solve those problems.

We believe it’s time for organizations to take a hard look at their core culture. Real well-being requires digging deep—rethinking how workspaces support (or harm) employees and making well-being a true company-wide priority. It’s not an afterthought; it’s an essential foundation for a thriving, productive workforce.

In 2024, well-being must be integrated into every function, woven into the company’s fabric, and embraced as a core value. Anything less is failing the people who power your business.

We're interested in helping leaders start building workplaces that foster true well-being—from the ground up. If your organization is ready to prioritize employee health in a meaningful way, let’s talk.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

27/09/2024

We often think of burnout as an individual problem, solvable with simple-fix techniques like “learning to say no”, more yoga, better breathing, practicing resilience. Yet, evidence is mounting that personal, band-aid solutions are not enough to combat an epic and rapidly evolving workplace pheno...

24/09/2024

If you're in a toxic work space, you might feel like modern well-being practices often fall short. And you’re not alone in feeling this way. When your nervous system is in a constant state of alert, feeling unsafe, it’s difficult to be present, collaborative, or even mindful.

As Polyvagal performance coach Michael Allison observes, it’s not just about getting fitter but learning how to manage your bodily state under stress—something athletes train for peak performance.

Here at Toxic Work Spaces, we help professionals in high-stress environments understand the connection between trauma and workplace performance. When you're in survival mode, productivity and well-being are almost impossible.

If you’re feeling drained or stuck in fight or flight mode, reach out. Your well-being matters, and so does creating a safe space to thrive.

Wishing you all a wonderful afternoon.

03/09/2024

One of the most immediate and profound impacts of a toxic work space is the damage it inflicts on your mental health. Constant stress and tension can quietly erode your well-being, leading to a range of psychological issues that can affect every aspect of your life.

We invite YOU to swipe through our latest carousel to discover 4 major psychological effects caused by toxic work spaces:

1️⃣ Chronic Stress 2️⃣ Burnout 3️⃣ Anxiety 4️⃣ Low Self-Esteem

These are just a few of the ways toxicity at work can take a toll on your mind and body. It’s crucial to recognize these signs early and take steps to protect your mental health.

If you want to dive deeper, read our latest blog post to learn more about the emotional and physical toll of toxic work spaces and how to safeguard your well-being.

02/09/2024

Did you know that the emotional and physical toll of a toxic work space can leave lasting scars on your well-being?

Toxic work spaces are more than just unpleasant—they're detrimental to your mental and physical health.

In our latest blog post, we dive deep into how daily stressors, bullying, and harassment can ripple through your life, impacting your career, health, and overall happiness. It’s crucial to recognize these dangers and take steps to protect yourself.

As we kick off this new month, we’re dedicated to raising awareness about toxic work spaces and empowering you to navigate and thrive despite the challenges.

We'd like you to stay tuned for more insights, strategies, and support as we continue our mission to help you reclaim your well-being and career.

To read the full post and to learn how to safeguard your health and success in the face of workplace toxicity, visit 👇

https://toxicworkspaces.com/2024/08/31/the-emotional-and-physical-toll-of-a-toxic-work-space/