Might it be that your Way of Life is Leading You to an Early Grave?
Aloysius Okello
Governance | Leadership Excellence | Sustainability for the Livelihood of All
The Unhurried Pace of Life
I have met a good number of hardworking men and women in my life. It never initially shows if it's just hard work or a stress prone life. Many people unknowingly work themselves to their graves in the name of hard work.
As we grow up, we are taught that the way up in life is a fight. You have got to fight to win, which is not necessarily wrong. However, with many expectations set by our families, friends and peers coupled up by a number of illecebrous social bribes, we are openly indoctrinated in a race of stress and undefined pursuits throughout our life, which sometimes turn out to be a burden.
Therefore, we spend each waking day in a race to the finish line, a finish line that was never clear from the start.
I recently met a gentleman who had just concluded his PhD studies, very enthusiastic about this new found achievement. He spoke so much about success, achievements and how he was moving on to another decree of some kind. In the juncture of our conversation, as we exchanged words, expressing our individual intellectual prowess and the echoes of our true faith and beliefs, I paused and asked him a question, (to Mr. Derrick, an alias)
What exactly are you chasing after in life?
Surprisingly, he did not have an answer for that, and I realized he was also in this race probably presented to him at an early age. Through a series of familial moments littered all over his childhood and youth without any knowledge of the meanings or end intended.
In today's fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find time to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life.
As a person you owe it to you to appreciate the importance of taking a step back and enjoying life at a more restful pace.
In the wild, a lion’s average lifespan is about 10-15 years. However, male lions typically have a shorter lifespan than lionesses. Males live for 8-12 years while females have a lifespan of 10-15 years.
Many lions in the wild are known to face a lot of adversities in their life time which coupled up by other factors such as fights for dominance in the pride builds up a lot of stress.
According to Main (2013), all lions face high mortality as cubs, for a variety of reasons, including injuries, lack of food, illness and being killed by adult lions — more on that later. But when male lions begin to reach sexual maturity around age 2, the older males within the pride kick them out, Dereck said. The female?lions, which are usually all related to some degree, typically stay behind.
According to Pugle (2022), While stress is a natural response to perceived danger, chronic stress can lead to physical and mental health complications and early death.
A?2021 study?shows that physical and mental stressors can lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD). So stress can cause sudden death by a heart attack, but it can contribute to prolonged health complications, like?substance use disorder, leading to early death.
?The following leading causes of death are linked in some way to how stress manifests into illness and worsens symptoms of chronic conditions.
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The six leading causes of death in the U.S. that are impacted by emotional stress are:
It is no longer just about slowing down or taking a leisurely pace to life, being restful or having an unhurried pace is crucial for your wellbeing and health-whether physical or mental.
One of the key benefits of living an unhurried pace is the reduction of stress. When we rush through life, we put our bodies and minds under constant stress, which can lead to a range of physical and mental health problems.
By taking the time to slow down and enjoy life, we give ourselves the space to relax and unwind, which can help to reduce stress and promote overall wellbeing.
Benefits of an unhurried pace of life.
When we rush through life, we often take the things around us for granted. We don't take the time to appreciate the beauty of nature, the kindness of others, or the small moments of joy that make life so special. By slowing down and living a more relaxed life, we become more mindful of our surroundings and more grateful for the things we have.
2. Connect more deeply with others
When we're constantly rushing from one thing to the next, we often don't have time to really connect with the people around us. By slowing down and taking the time to talk, listen, and be present with our loved ones, we deepen our relationships and create meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.
Embrace the Unhurried Pace of Life.
Of course, living at an unhurried pace isn't always easy. It can be difficult to slow down in a world that seems to be constantly moving faster and faster. However, with practice and persistence, it is possible to cultivate a more leisurely approach to life. Here's how you can do it.
This might mean setting aside time each day to enjoy a cup of tea or take a walk-in nature, or it might mean prioritizing time with loved ones over work or other obligations. It's about making a conscious effort to slow down and appreciate the things that make life worth living.
This means being fully present in the moment and paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to appreciate the small moments of joy that often go unnoticed in our busy lives.
The bottom line is you never lose when you take care of yourself.
By Aloysius Okello
Note: References are made for various research studies and published articles.