It’s funny how we can switch your perspective on something. The glass half full, glass half empty scenario. It actually doesn’t take that much—if we are willing. If we’re not willing, though? Boy oh boy, does it take a lot!
‘The Sleep Frets’
If I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d immediately start fretting. “Oh noooo, this is a disaster. Tomorrow, I’ll be exhausted, useless, spouting utter nonsense (well, more than usual). I’ll be so tired I’ll probably walk straight into the glass door, which will shatter into smithereens—a shard will skewer my jugular. I’ll bleed out on the floor, unnoticed—because, of course, I got the day wrong and the studio will be empty. All because I missed my precious eight hours of sleep.”
Then I researched sleep and discovered that waking up in the middle of the night is completely normal. It often happens at the end of a sleep cycle or the beginning of the next one. (In fact, historically, people used to have biphasic sleep, naturally waking up for a short period before going back to sleep.)
I learned that during deep sleep, my brain flushes out toxins via the glymphatic system— basically, an overnight cleanup for my brain. And you want to go through sleep cycles because each phase has benefits. Suddenly, I didn’t mind waking up. I now saw it as one sleep cycle ending and another beginning - a fresh reset for my brain.
Shifting my perspective turned this from a crisis into a perfectly natural event. Instead of worrying, I now see it as a sign that my brain is doing exactly what it should. And with that, I roll over and drift happily back to sleep.
Nothing had changed—except my perspective.
The #1 Cause of Chronic Inflammation? Stress.
This matters because stress is the difference between thriving and breaking down. Some stress—like exercise or learning something new—is like a controlled burn that makes you stronger. But chronic, unmanaged stress? That’s an inferno that slowly destroys you from the inside out.
Chronic stress doesn’t just make us feel overwhelmed—it actively disrupts homeostasis and triggers inflammation, which is a major driver of chronic disease. In fact, research suggests that 75-90% of human diseases are linked to chronic stress and inflammation, making it a much bigger issue than just feeling frazzled.
It’s not just about what happens to us. It’s about how we perceive it.
If someone held you at gunpoint and forced you to run, your body would flood with stress hormones, muscles tensed, heart pounding in fear. Yet, people pay money and willingly train for a marathon and call it fun.
Same action, different perspective-your body reacts accordingly.
Same Situation, Totally Different Experience
Still not convinced?
An ice bath vs. Falling into a frozen lake → Same freezing water. One is a high-end wellness hack, the other is a survival emergency.
A breakup vs. Leaving a job you hate → Both involve loss, change, and starting over. One feels like heartbreak, the other like freedom.
Giving a speech vs. Telling a story to friends → Same words, same voice, same person talking. But one makes your heart pound in fear, the other flows effortlessly.
A fasting detox vs. Being stranded without food → In both cases, you’re not eating. One feels cleansing, the other feels like impending doom.
A gym workout vs. Carrying heavy bags up the stairs → Both make your muscles ache and your heart race. One feels like self-improvement, the other just feels annoying.
Why Your Mindset Changes Everything
When you view a change as positive, your body adapts better. When you view a change as negative, your body resists—and that resistance turns into inflammation, fatigue, and burnout.
How we interpret what’s happening determines how we experience it. It’s not the situation itself, but how we perceive it that shapes our stress levels, our health, and our ability to adapt.
Why McDonald's Could Heal One Person and Harm Another
Here’s a wild thought: If you’ve been raised on whole foods, a single fast-food binge could leave you feeling awful. But if someone malnourished eats that same meal, it could be the most nutrients their body has had in weeks.
Context matters. Adaptation matters.
Your brain isn’t powerful enough to eat McDonald's every day and stay as healthy as someone who eats clean. But your brain is powerful enough to make you sick. And it’s powerful enough to help you heal.
The best way to stay healthy isn’t a supplement, a protein powder, or an organic kale smoothie. It’s your subconscious stress patterns—how you process, handle, and perceive the world around you.
Yes, food matters. But it’s not the full picture. We need love, human connection, and care - because often, it’s not just our body that is struggling, but our ‘soul’.
What’s Really Making Us Sick?
Increased Screen Time: Prolonged screen usage has been associated with various health issues, including eye strain, neck and shoulder pain, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Decreased Human Connection: Excessive screen time can limit opportunities for face-to-face interactions, leading to social isolation and loneliness. (I’ve written a blog about loneliness)
Lack of Sunlight: Spending less time outdoors reduces exposure to natural light, which is essential for regulating sleep patterns and mood. This lack of sunlight can contribute to sleep disorders and depression.
Lack of Movement: A sedentary lifestyle, characterized by minimal physical activity, is linked to numerous health risks, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes.
Lack of Nature: Reduced time spent in natural environments has been associated with negative psychological outcomes, whereas increased 'green time' appears to have favorable effects on mental health.
So, next time you’re stressing about sleep, food, or life in general—ask yourself: Is this really a disaster? Or is it just a shift in perspective away from being totally fine? Because that shift might just be the healthiest thing you ever do.
How to Shift Your Mindset & Reduce Stress (Without Faking Positivity)
It’s all well and good to say, just change your perspective!—but how? When something feels stressful, frustrating, or downright awful, shifting your mindset isn’t instinctive.
The trick? Interrupt the pattern.
Here’s how to actually do it:
Catch the Thought → Before your brain drags you into a stress spiral, pause. Literally, say to yourself: Wait—is this really the end of the world, or just my brain being dramatic? Name the thought instead of drowning in it.
Flip the Question → Instead of "Why is this happening to me?" try "How could this actually work in my favour?" Even if it feels ridiculous at first, your brain will start looking for answers.
Zoom Out → Will this matter in a week? A month? A year? If not, let it go. If yes, what’s one small thing you can do to make it better? This stops unnecessary catastrophizing.
Reframe with a Laugh → If you can find even 1% of humour in the situation, you win. Picture yourself as the main character in a comedy instead of a tragedy.
Act "As If" → If you already believed this situation would turn out fine, how would you act? Try stepping into that mindset, even for a moment. Your brain follows what your body does.
Next time you catch yourself spiraling into Oh no, this is the worst thing ever territory, pause. Ask yourself: Is this really a disaster, or am I just dramatically narrating my own downfall like a Shakespearean tragedy?
Maybe it’s not a catastrophe. Maybe it’s just… a plot twist.
And honestly, plot twists make for way better stories.
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