Learn How to Relax, Then Do It
Copyright 2005 Daniel Sitter
Go,go,go. That is the pace of the world we live in. A century
ago, life was less complex, more restful, operating at a much
slower pace and certainly more peaceful. Today, prescriptions
for dealing with depression, anxiety, stress and other similar
ailments are at record highs. The need for these medicines did
not even exist just a short while ago. What has happened to us?
When our operating pace begins to infringe on our health, we
need to learn how to step back and evaluate the road we are on
before it is too late.
God rested on the seventh day. Obviously, God set an example
that we should all observe as well. Do you feel that you may
know something that He doesn't? Then why don't we rest, and take
time to relax? Often it is while in the state of relaxation that
we come up with our greatest thoughts, ideas, inventions and
solutions to problems. I have noticed this on many occasions,
especially while sleeping. I'll wake up and realize that my
subconscious mind has been examining a certain problem while I
slept and provided me with the solution when I awakened!
Often, we tend to think that we are too busy to take time for
fun and relaxation. I submit that we need this time and that
without it; we will ultimately reach a point of diminishing
returns and simply burn out. As human beings, we are social
creatures. We were designed for interaction with each other. We
compete, cooperate, socialize, interact and love because we were
designed to do so. If we work 60 - 70 hours per week,
eliminating the weekend break and skipping vacations, we do not
allow ourselves the necessary recharge that proper sleep,
nutrition, relaxation, vacations and other personal time
considerations afford us. Relaxation is not just for fun, it is
necessary. If you don't believe that, you are simply kidding
yourself and it will catch up with you sooner or later. You will
soon become a person dependent upon sleep aids,
gastro-intestinal and anxiety medicines, Excedrin and possible
depression management drugs. Is that not too high a price for
busy-ness?
Step back. Look at where you are. What is the cost of your
current lifestyle? Is it a fair trade for those things that you
do not possess? Have you sacrificed your health or your family
for the sake of your career? No one, while lying on their death
bed, would ever want to leave this world worrying about work or
some aspect of their job. Most people would lament over the time
that they squandered, the loved ones they ignored and the life
that they might have had.
The good news is that it is not too late! It is never too late
to change. Start right now. Put things in their proper
perspective and prioritize the time you have available to you.
Make proper time for sleep, as this rejuvenates you each day.
When you work, work hard. Pour yourself in and maximize your
output. At the end of the day, make your plan for the next day
and then turn it off. Find something that you can get lost in,
whether it is a sport, a cause, a leisure activity or activities
and with equal passion as for work. Play hard too. Enjoy
yourself and learn to relax. Make time for family and friends.
Enjoy life. I suspect that these changes will make you even more
productive when you work! It is a win-win for you.