Have you ever noticed that your brain loves reruns?
One awkward conversation, one mistake, one difficult experience—and suddenly your mind is showing the highlights reel on repeat at 3am.
Meanwhile, your body reacts as if you're in immediate danger, being chased by a lion: tight chest, racing heart, shallow breathing, sweaty palms and thoughts moving faster than a toddler on a sugar rush.
The strange thing?
There isn't actually a lion in the room.
Humans Are Brilliant... and Ridiculous
Humans can remember, analyse and imagine.
It's a wonderful gift.
It's also why we can turn a five-minute stressful event into a three-year subscription service.
The brain replays old threats because it thinks it's protecting us.
Unfortunately, every replay can trigger the same anxiety response:
- Racing pulse
- Tight chest
- Shaky hands
- Flustered thinking
- Feelings of panic
Your brain is trying to help.
It's just showing yesterday's lion attack on a continuous loop.
The Deer and the Lion
Imagine a deer being chased by a lion.
Its heart pounds. Adrenaline surges. Every muscle is focused on survival.
But the deer might escape. The lion might stumble. The danger might simply pass.
And when it does?
The deer doesn't spend the next six months thinking:
"What if that lion comes back?"
"Should I have zig-zagged more?"
"What did the other deer think of my running technique?"
No.
It slows down, regulates its breathing and goes back to eating grass.
Thank Your Brain
Instead of fighting anxiety, try saying:
"Thank you, brain. I know you're trying to keep me safe."
It sounds simple, but it changes the conversation.
You stop treating your brain as the enemy and start recognising it as an overenthusiastic bodyguard.
Give Your Head a Wobble
Animals know something we've forgotten. After a stressful or exciting event, they shake.
Watch a dog meet another dog.
Sniff. Sniff. Assessment complete.
Then comes the full-body shake—from nose to tail.
Factory reset activated.
Dogs do it after excitement, stress and even when they arrive home. Humans can do the same.
Loosen your jaw.
Roll your shoulders.
Shake your arms.
Wobble your head.
Give yourself permission to physically release some tension.
You might look silly......that's okay.
The dog doesn't care.
Take a Breath
Then breathe slowly through your nose.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Each breath sends a message to your nervous system:
"There is no emergency right now."
There Are No Lions
Most of us spend far too much time preparing for lions that aren't there.
The deer survives the chase and returns to the grass.
Maybe we should too.
Your Challenge Today
The next time anxiety shows up:
Thank your brain.
Take three slow breaths through your nose.
Give your head and shoulders a wobble.
Ask yourself: "Am I actually being chased by a lion right now?"
If the answer is no, take a lesson from the deer.
Shake it off, return to the grass, and get on with enjoying your day. If you'd like help calming your nervous system and breaking free from the cycle of overthinking, get in touch. Together we can help your mind realise what the zebra already knows: the chase is over.
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