If you work in the events industry, you know what it feels like to run on empty.
Early starts, late finishes, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to make every moment perfect, it’s no wonder so many event professionals describe themselves as running on adrenaline.
But here’s the truth: it’s not adrenaline keeping you going anymore, it’s cortisol, and your body is quietly waving a white flag.
The hidden cost of “powering through”
When you skip meals, live on coffee, and sacrifice sleep, your body shifts into survival mode, and it’s Cortisol, your main stress hormone, that steps in to keep you alert and fuelled.
At first, it feels like focus and energy, you’re sharp, motivated, and in the zone, but when that becomes your normal state, cortisol turns from helper to hijacker.
Your brain needs around 75% of the food you eat in the form of glucose to think clearly, regulate emotions, and make decisions. When you skip meals or grab quick sugary snacks, that supply runs low, and the body responds by releasing more cortisol to keep your system going, and that’s when the loop begins:
- You skip a meal → the brain runs low on glucose.
- You reach for caffeine → a spike of liquid cortisol that gives you temporary energy.
- You crash → more cortisol is released to rescue you again.
- Your sleep, mood, and focus start to suffer.
It’s a cycle too many event professionals know too well.
Caffeine: the liquid cortisol
Caffeine works in the same way as cortisol in your body, and also tricks it into thinking it has more energy than it does by blocking adenosine (that’s the chemical that makes you feel tired). It also encourages your adrenal glands to release even more cortisol. In small doses, this can help you stay alert onsite, but when coffee replaces meals, hydration, or rest, it becomes a stress amplifier rather than a productivity tool.
If you’ve ever felt jittery after your third cup or crashed mid-afternoon, that’s your body trying to tell you: I need fuel, not caffeine.
How the loop keeps you stuck
Chronic cortisol release keeps your body in a state of high alert; heart rate up, digestion slowed, focus scattered, and over time, you might notice:
- disrupted sleep patterns
- sugar or caffeine cravings
- increased anxiety or irritability
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- fatigue that no amount of rest seems to fix
Sound familiar? You’re not lazy or weak, you’re physiologically exhausted.
Breaking the loop
You can’t control the chaos of event life, but you can support your body and brain to cope better.
Here’s how:
🕒 Eat regularly. Aim for balanced snacks every 2–3 hours, fruit, oat bars, nuts, or anything with slow-release carbs and protein as it keeps glucose steady and cortisol in check. Try not to leave it longer than 4 hours between meals.
☕ Rethink caffeine. Use it strategically: one coffee mid-morning is plenty. After 2pm, you should switch to water or herbal tea to protect your sleep cycle.
💧 Hydrate like it’s your job. Even mild dehydration raises cortisol so keep a bottle nearby and sip throughout the day.
😴 Protect your recovery. Sleep is when cortisol drops and the body repairs, so prioritise it the same way you prioritise your call sheet.
🌿 Pause to reset. Simple breathing, stretching, or stepping outside for two minutes tells your nervous system,“I’m safe.” These micro-breaks have a measurable impact on stress regulation.
Your body isn’t failing, it’s communicating to you
Feeling “wired but tired” isn’t a badge of honour; it’s a sign that your nervous system is overloaded. The sooner we learn to read those signs, the healthier and more sustainable our industry becomes.
Because wellbeing at work isn’t about bubble baths or mindfulness apps. It starts with understanding the science of stress, and giving your body what it truly needs to perform at its best.
Let’s make “calm, nourished, and rested” the new normal for event professionals.
Event Wellbeing Matters 