Dooley Noted: 4/13/2016
One of my patients today suffered from such pain from stress that it caused a 10/10 pain scale at the end of his workday.
I asked him if he perceived his stress as being harmful to him.
He said, “Don’t you?”
That’s when I realized our lives were paralleled.
He spoke of expanding his firm to London. I mentioned I was flying to London later that day with our seminar series.
He noted he was the head of his company.
I noted I helped to head three companies.
He noted the pressure he felt as his company started growing.
I noted that I felt that same pressure.
But I think a lightbulb went off for him.
I told him I was pain-free, and he clearly was not.
I asked him what he thought the difference was between him and me.
He said he didn’t know, but he wanted to find out.
He noted that I looked energetic all the time.
I said I was energetic all the time.
He said he was confused on why I never seemed stressed…
…Even though I work very long workdays.
…Even though my companies are expanding.
…Even though my inbox is never empty.
I told him about the perception of stress as the secret to being pain-free.
I told him about my constant checking in on myself – and it was always with the only reason I am alive.
I told him I focused on breathing.
I don’t want my breathing running on autopilot.
Autopilot might run a program that doesn’t suit me.
And if I’m in charge of breathing, then I’m in charge of everything else.
My perception of my stress is based upon whether or not I’m breathing.
And if I’m breathing, then I’m OK.
If I’m not in charge of breathing, stress will run me instead of me running my own stress.
Nobody runs me but me.
He went home with much to consider.
We both having intense schedules.
We both have demanding lifestyles.
But one of us has crippling current pain, and one of us doesn’t.
I’m so honored to help him through this phase of his life, to understand that his perception of stress can change.
Stress can’t hurt you, if you are in control of it.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
