Have you ever found yourself worrying about a conversation that hasn't happened, imagining everything that could go wrong before an important meeting, or feeling anxious about an event that's still weeks away?

Sometimes, the most exhausting part of an experience isn't actually going through it, but anticipating it.

This is what we call anticipatory stress – the anxiety and emotional tension we experience when we focus on something that might happen in the future. Our minds begin preparing for worst-case scenarios, replaying possibilities and creating problems we haven't even encountered.

We are joined by Wellness Coach, Pride Mkhwanazi as we unpack anticipatory stress, how it affects our mental and physical well-being, and practical ways to manage it.