Do the following thoughts sound familiar?
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: My situation is not as bad as Cathy’s.
𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴: I still have my family, health, job.
𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: It’s just a silly email! I shouldn’t feel stressed about it!
𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴: OK, let’s think about the weekend. We’re going to Hampstead Heath.
Not only do these thoughts not help—they can actually make you even more stressed!
Forget logic when you talk to your unconscious.
Your unconscious brain—that processes 11million bits of information per second—has perceived a threat and activated the stress response.
Your conscious brain—that processes 40 bits of information per second—is trying to convince your unconscious brain that it shouldn’t have activated the stress response.
Mmm… is this a good idea? 🙄
If you want to be clever and convince your unconscious to chill, let it do its thing.
Allow it to switch the stress response on and off without interference.
It’s much more sophisticated than you think and you don’t have to worry about it.
The same way you don’t have to worry about reminding yourself to breathe!
Just acknowledge your stress.
What else are you feeling? Focus on bodily sensations. Don’t judge—just observe.
Loving you, Angelos
Photo: Agios Giannis, Lefkada, Greece.