Dr Libby’s book The Invisible Load takes a new approach to understanding stress by delving into where the stress is coming from. She tells Cityscape she wants people to know they can have a full and busy life without pushing themselves to breaking point.

Many people would agree with you that our stress levels are rising – why do you think that is? In one respect, I think there’s now a sense of normalcy around it. We just expect and accept that our life is supposed to feel stressful and overwhelming because we can’t see any other way. When we look around us, we see everyone in our lives doing exactly what we’re doing – or we perceive they’re doing even more – and so we think there is no other option but to push ourselves near to breaking point to do what we need to do and to get where we want to go. This is part of it, but I think there’s much more to it than just the speed and intensity of our modern lives. We can’t control what happens in our day, but with awareness and practice we can begin to catch a glimpse of how we’re thinking. This is the ribbon we need to grab hold of in order to unravel our stress once and for all. It’s catching these perceptions, thoughts and beliefs that will ultimately alter our biochemistry, transform our health and our experience of stress, as well as how we live.

As with all your wellness work, you focus in your new book on practical steps people can take to improve their lives – how important is that to you? This is why I do what I do. I want people to have great knowledge and to feel empowered to make decisions that support their health and to realise that, more often than not, it doesn’t take massive changes to make a wonderful difference. It’s the smaller changes that begin to add up.

Do you feel there is a lack of that practical advice in some of the other literature on these topics? Not at all. There is some wonderful help and information out there.

Have you had your own moments of feeling overwhelmed? What helped with that? Of course! There are times in everyone’s life where it feels as though everything changes direction or comes at us all at once and it can feel a little overwhelming. Overwhelm starts to get problematic when it’s something we experience on a daily or regular basis and in response to everyday living. My lovely mum realised early on that I was a worrier and gave me the Serenity Prayer. The essence of it – may you have the serenity to accept the things you cannot change and the courage to change the things you can – has been a guiding force for me through these times and beyond them.

How do you relax? For me the ultimate relaxation is curling up on the couch with a good book.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? As mentioned above, my dear mum gave me the Serenity Prayer when I was a child and this was the best advice/guidance I’ve ever received.

You are holding a series of ‘Overcoming Overwhelm’ events coinciding with the release of the book – what are you hoping to achieve with these? There’s no doubt that stress detracts from our health and our quality of life. I want people to know that they don’t have to push themselves to breaking point, that it is possible to have a full and busy life that is not jam-packed with stress or sending them towards burnout or more serious health complaints.

It must be a special moment when you see or hear of people being helped through your work? It touches my heart very deeply.

What’s one thing people can do to help lower their stress levels? Listen to your body’s messages. It’s likely that when you suffer with symptoms such as exhaustion, weight gain, digestive complaints like bloating, uncomfortable periods or menopausal transitions, frequent headaches, or even sugar cravings and restless sleep, this is your body’s overwhelm or stress in action (as long as diseases have been ruled out). Yet many people get frustrated with these symptoms instead of bringing their attention to what they might be trying to communicate. Your body is your best barometer for your levels of stress and overwhelm – pay attention to what it’s telling you and learn to decipher its messages.

Twelve books – you’ll need your own shelf at the library soon? Hahaha, perhaps! It’s always such a thrill for me to see my books on library and bookshop shelves. And for some reason I get extra excited when I see them at airports.

Anything on the cards for when you’re in Christchurch? Christchurch is such a beautiful city and very dear to me. I love a big walk through Hagley Park as often as I can, as I love seeing the seasons change in the trees and gardens.

One day soon I’ll… Have chickens in my backyard.

If you could invite any three people living or dead to a dinner party, who would they be? Three of my favourite humans (friends!) – I travel so much for work so I really cherish the time I get to spend with my dearest friends.

What’s your favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon? My ultimate Sunday afternoon has no plans. I do whatever spins my tyres at the time. It might involve a game of tennis, pottering in my vege garden, a long, slow cooking session creating something for Sunday dinner, a chat with my mum, or curling up on the couch with my book or journal.

Who’s your personal hero? The many people I’ve met who have faced immense adversity and transformed it into learnings and care that they then share with others.

What’s your favourite guilty pleasure? I love to have my hair blow-dried.

I can’t leave the house without … Music for the drive and a book for when I get there.

What has been the most surprising moment in your career to date? Being invited to speak on Necker Island for Sir Richard Branson.

What advice would you give to your younger self? To always remember that life happens for you, not to you.

Dr Libby is a nutritional biochemist, best-selling author, speaker and founder of the plant-based supplement range Bio Blends. She has just released her new book, The Invisible Load: a guide to overcoming stress and overwhelm, and is speaking on the subject throughout New Zealand.

drlibby.com