Feeling in balance and relaxed in the high-stress, fast-paced life of our contemporary western world, may be a challenge for some, and have others simply thinking there is no time for themselves.
One of the best things you can do is to cultivate the art of letting go and learning to give yourself “me time.” Learning to relax and take time for self is something many in the western world simply overlook or do not see as important.
Learning to let go is an art form and indeed a science that is more commonplace in eastern cultures where meditation is practiced and where materialism does not exist in the same way it does here.
In the eastern culture people may possess little materialistically and yet their inner happiness and calm is testimony to the quality of their abundant inner life.
How do they achieve that?
Our "On-The-Go" Existence:
Cultural mindsets in India, Tibet and Thailand for example, are more aware of the limitations of our mortal existence, how temporary our existence is, and how important it is to nourish the body, mind and soul on a daily basis.
Here in the West we tend to overlook the importance of daily nourishment for our overall well-being. We do not have time to go for walks, take a bath for comfort, meditate, etc. One thinks they will live forever and may idolize a culture of youth and beauty, minimizing the value of the wisdom, which comes with maturity. The accumulation of wealth is one of our main aims. We mistakenly assume that going shopping will bring us happiness and we overlook the value of a smile from the heart or a kiss from a loved one.
Depression Is An Epidemic in the Western World:
The western world suffers from an epidemic of depression, dependent on prescription drugs like never before. Stress causes tension in the body and tension in the body leads to disease. Your mind may be focused on worries of the future, things that did not or may not even occur. One may also be focused on an unhappy past, which then stops present happiness, etc.
All of this usually manifests in the form of worry. Alternatively, your mind is ruminating on past events and how they didn’t go the way you wanted them to, which then prevents present happiness and successful focus on your goals, which then interferes with positive future happenings.
Letting Go, The Art:
Letting go is an art, which takes practice, but if you master it, it can lead to inner peace, well-being and happiness. Here are some ways you can practice letting go.
Relaxation. Relaxation focuses on letting go of physical stress and tension. This in turn leads to the mind letting go and becoming more still. Deep relaxation is very beneficial to the overall health of the body and the mind.
Positive Visualization, See in your minds eye how you wish to be, what you wish to achieve. See yourself being relaxed with any outcome. Have no expectations other than accepting things you cannot change and striving towards what you want to have, become, do, create.
Meditation. There are many types of meditation. Basically, meditation allows you to practice observing your thoughts, without being caught up in them. It gives you the capacity to detach from your thoughts. Thoughts come, and when we let them, they go. In this state, the body begins to relax.
Mindfulness. Mindfulness is really one form of meditation. It is the art of being present. By focusing on what is happening in the present moment we are able to let go of our preoccupations with the past or the future. By becoming present, we are able to live a richer, more authentic life.
Letting Go, The Science:
Science has shown that relaxation, visualization, meditation and mindfulness can reduce symptoms of heart disease, depression, stress and anxiety. That is insightful and fabulous news!
By simply practicing for a few weeks, for as little as ten minutes each day, positive results can be achieved and gained.
If you ever feel a bit overwhelmed and are looking for a few new outlets to a better way of being, perhaps it is time to consider the benefits of a few minutes of daily “me time” where relaxation and letting go of anything interfering with your happiness is your focus. Investing that short amount of time in your own well-being is the most important gift you can give yourself and those who you care for.
Instead of thinking that you do not have time to relax or meditate, isn’t it time to realize that you do not have time not to?
Lori Snyder
With a degree in Sociology and Anthropology, Lori has extensively studied psychology, sociology, philosophy and anthropology. She is also accredited and certified, both as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and an Energy Leadership Index™ Master Practitioner (ELI-MP).
Lori Snyder is CEO of Executive Lifestyle Coaching Inc; a company devoted to helping people worldwide discover how to put into action a powerful life plan that works to help them create their best life.