Is It Time to Lighten Up…?
Do you sometimes feel that life is overwhelming and that the world seems to be in a permanent state of crisis? Why do we feel like this? We certainly owe a great deal to social media and the constant stream of doom, gloom and disaster that fills the news outlets – because that’s how they catch our attention. But we also need to acknowledge that more and more people are experiencing the effects of constant daily pressure - and the medical research reinforces this conclusion. But is this the only way for us to survive in a high-pressure, highly-competitive world? Surely, there must be better alternatives. It’s time to take a closer look.
In many ways, we’re taught to take everything very seriously indeed. It’s a behavioural habit that’s reinforced from early childhood where we’re all encouraged to prepare for adulthood by adopting a suitably serious attitude. The more serious we are, the more grown up we seem to be. Which is odd because we sacrifice much of our creativity by adopting the worried look and stress of the typical adult. The fact is that we’re far more likely to find the answers to our problems when we learn to lower the tension and let our deeper consciousness reveal its profound insights and analyses. Too much stress is counter-productive and drains our energy whilst dimming our enthusiasm.? A lighter, brighter approach seems to stimulate the brain into finding new ways to overcome difficulties and resolve challenges. This is far more than a simple example of mental gymnastics to lower the blood pressure and improve our health. It’s a potent behavioural switch that shifts our energy into more productive channels. It might not feel entirely natural or socially acceptable but a burst of laughter can work wonders when it comes to dissolving the tension, banishing the fear and regaining the initiative. A shift in perspective can help too.
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When you recognise that all the issues that occupy so much of your attention today will be completely forgotten in due course, you might realise that you’re investing a huge amount of energy into things that might not be as significant as you think. A healthy measure of detachment and an ability to discern the true value and importance of your activities should help you to assume a more relaxed and comfortable approach to your daily round of responsibilities. We still do what we have to do. But we learn to enjoy the day, reduce the stress, turn up the enjoyment and worry less about the outcomes. It’s a much healthier way to embrace the gift of each day and a natural way to improve productivity and gain a deeper insight into the nature of the world.