The headline said it all: Slowing down is seen as essential.
The story that followed mentioned children, housework and errands. Those sound rather mundane in the stress department, as in, there’s more where those came from: kids not making it at all in virtual school, which seems to be an issue everywhere; working two jobs to make ends meet, which many people have to do; and dodging the coronavirus as best one can, which means putting on a mask and heading out and hoping for the best because not everyone can afford to hunker down at the house and wait for the pandemic to pass. Oh, and there are lots of folks who are worried about their unemployment checks running out, and if that happens, how are they going to pay their rent or house payment?
We could go on, as in it’s hard to stop and smell the roses as you run from a fire, but indeed, if it’s possible, we should all try to carve out some “me time,” as the scientist put it, she being Linda Inmon of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
“These days we also face the cultural pressures where busyness is the norm,” she said. “This makes us feel like we are wasting our time if we are not always busy with activities. But contrary to popular belief, slowing down is essential to allow our bodies to rejuvenate.”
Finding time to chill isn’t just something that’s good for one’s mental well being; it also has real health implications. Those who only find themselves on the go-go are risking heart attacks, stroke and, not surprisingly, premature death, Inmon said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The advice that followed was interesting and maybe even doable.
“Practice being alone and doing nothing,” Inmon said. “Don’t get on social media, watch TV or make phone calls.”
Is that possible? We’re trying to picture it.
Then there’s “Put everyone and everything aside when you can. For example, take walks or eat lunch at a local park.” That sounds pleasant enough.
And this one: “Leave work on time. And leave your work at work.” We can imagine leaving work on time occasionally, but as long as there are smartphones, there will be buzz, just a sec, oh, look, a text from work, and there’s a problem and I have to go in or call or respond or, you know, work.
Our favorite is “Learn to say ‘no.’ This practice can lower your stress and provide peace of mind. You may lose some friends in the process, but it becomes easier with practice.”
Now, that is commitment, especially if you only have a few friends to start with.
We do get the point. The reason we become chronically stressed is because we let the world push and prod us to ever higher RPMs, not realizing that our health is deteriorating because of inactivity, leading to our blood pressure and cholesterol creeping up higher and higher, and one day something pops. And you have to be the one to take charge of this because it’s you that it’s affecting.
So maybe some yoga is in order and a good mantra.
Ommmm.
Or maybe just turn off the phone. That would be a start.