And it is precisely that uncertainty that is structurally present today.
A stress response system that no longer recognizes when it should stop
The human stress system—through the HPA axis, the autonomic nervous system, and threat networks in the brain—is designed to respond to temporary threats. Activation, mobilization, recovery. That rhythm is essential.
AI-generated content and fake news disrupt that rhythm. They create an information environment in which:
- the truth is constantly being disputed,
- simulate credibility through images and voices,
- and a correction is rarely permanent.
Research on chronic stress shows that when a threat remains ambiguous and cannot be resolved, the stress response system does not wind down. It remains on high alert—not because it has to, but because it has no other choice.
From a stress response to stress as a blueprint
When this state persists, stress shifts from a temporary response to a structural state. This is what we call “stress as a blueprint ”: an internal safety map that determines how new stimuli are interpreted.
From a neurobiological perspective, this is accompanied by:
- increased amygdala sensitivity to potential threats,
- greater insula activation, causing physical stress signals to become more prominent,
- and reduced prefrontal regulation, which makes reinterpretation and nuance more difficult.
The result is an increased allostatic load: the body learns to live in a state of constant adaptation. Stress is no longer a condition that comes and goes, but a framework through which everything is interpreted.
Social and digital factors that exacerbate insecurity
That blueprint does not emerge in isolation. It is shaped by social and societal contexts.
Brutality
Harsh language, online shaming, and hostile framing act as recurring social microstressors. Research on social threat shows that such experiences activate the same stress circuits as physical threats.
Echo chambers
Repeated exposure to emotionally charged content without any counterarguments keeps threat processing dominant. The brain learns that vigilance pays off.
Rabbitholes
Algorithmically amplified narratives increase uncertainty and mistrust. What begins as information ends as a state of constant vigilance.
For the stress response system, repetition matters more than correction. As a result, threats are not only perceived but also anticipated in advance.
When buffers are removed
Normally, stress is mitigated by buffers such as social support, a sense of control, and mental flexibility. Stress research shows that it is precisely these factors that temper the physiological stress response and enable recovery.
In contexts of chronic uncertainty, digital isolation, and social polarization, these buffers are eroded. As a result, stress reactivity is regulated less effectively. The system remains closer to the red zone.
The limits of “Making Stress Work”
The concept of “Making Stress Work” rightly emphasizes that stress can be functional under the right circumstances. Research shows that stress can enhance performance when it:
- is temporary,
- if it is perceived as manageable,
- and is followed by recovery.
But when stress has become part of the blueprint, it is precisely these conditions that are missing. Stress is then no longer a motivating stimulus, but a permanent background state that narrows our focus and automatizes our behavior.
In such a context, “making stress work” doesn’t feel like empowerment, but rather like an additional demand placed on a system that’s already overburdened.
Safety first, then functionality
The key message that follows from this is not a rejection of *Making Stress Work*, but a sequential correction. Stress can only become functional once a sense of safety can be experienced again—biologically, psychologically, and socially.
That doesn’t require an individual mindset shift, but rather environments in which:
- the threat is situational again,
- information becomes available,
- and recovery is possible again.
In conclusion: a collective mission
(In)security in the age of AI and fake news is not an individual problem, but a collective challenge. When stress becomes our default state without us even realizing it, it influences how societies think, make decisions, and respond.
“Making Stress Work” remains a valuable framework, provided we recognize that stress must first be able to stop.
Stress doesn’t need to be optimized. It needs to be redefined within certain limits. That’s not just a personal task, but a social responsibility.
Would you like to start 2026 with greater resilience and the skills to turn stress into a positive force? Explore our training offerings or contact us for guidance tailored to your organization.
Growing pains aren’t a bug; they’re at the heart of innovation
Every growing small and medium-sized business knows the feeling: what was second nature yesterday is causing friction today. Roles shift, employees take on new responsibilities, and teams struggle to find their footing. Growth hurts, but that pain isn’t a mistake. It’s part of the plan.
What makes your SME strong can sometimes also make it vulnerable
What if the biggest risk in the workplace isn’t burnout, but nobody speaking up anymore?
I see this happen a lot in small businesses. Everything moves quickly, everyone pitches in, and no one really asks, “Is this actually still manageable?” There’s a lot of goodwill. A lot of people who get things done. A lot of flexibility.
And it is precisely that—that strength—that can quietly become a pitfall.
