You know the parable about the frog in the pot that doesn’t notice the gradually boiling water until it’s too late?
Turns out it's not scientifically true, for frogs anyway 🐸.
But as a metaphor, it still rings true for me – especially when it comes to stress.
For me, it was so gradual I didn’t even realise I was stressed.
All I noticed was that I was an overthinker or I was constantly angry or irritated with people, even if I mostly kept it to myself.
I was reading this week how 77% of people report physical symptoms of stress but only 48% feel that stress has a negative effect on their lives (American Institute of Stress).
This is despite the fact that 75-90% of visits to the doctor are for stress-related ailments or complaints.
I never saw myself as a particularly stressed person, because I wasn't outwardly stressed.
My overthinking was a clear symptom of stress
But I now realise my overthinking, anger and anxiety were textbook symptoms of stress.
My way of dealing with these symptoms was to self-medicate with alcohol. Why not? Everyone else seems to be doing it?
It was only when I dissolved that stress that I noticed the need to self-medicate also fell away.
Watch this three minute video I put together this week talking about how this led to me getting a promotion to my dream job.
Have you booked into a free overthinkers session yet? They run Sundays and Tuesdays but won’t go forever, so book soon!