Stress: is simplicity the answer?

[Guest guest]

Hi, thought you might enjoy this article about stress and simplicity...

Jennifer

minimalisticliving/

 

Stress: is simplicity the answer?

by Amy Scholten, MPH

 

Is your life more or less complicated than it was ten years ago? How about 20

years ago? More and more people are finding that, in spite of technology and

other modern conveniences, they have less time, get less sleep, and are more

stressed than they were a decade ago. The reasons for this are, well, not so

simple, but relate to a number of factors.

Today's sources of complexity

Too many options. When making a purchase, whether it's food, health and beauty

products, cars, or computers, we confront an expanding array of brands, flavors,

and options. Similarly, we also have more options in terms of careers and

lifestyles, and this can make our lives busier and more complicated. Although

choice can certainly be a good thing, it doesn't always make life simpler. Some

people lose touch with their priorities when faced with too many options and

distractions.

Technology. You have an urgent question to ask your health care provider and you

reach an automated phone system instead of a person. Your new computer has a

problem that no one in the office can fix and your work is put on " hold. " Your

new office phone has dozens of features, but you can't make sense of the

complicated instruction manual. It's enough to make one question whether or not

technology really makes life simpler.

Overconsumption. Mass production, mass marketing, and buying on credit has

fueled a fervor of consumerism. People buy more than they need and end up

burdened with clutter and debt.

Information overload. Exchanges of information used to take place primarily

among the people in one's immediate environment through personal contact.

Gradually, more information was exchanged through letters, publications,

telephone, radio and television. Now we have rapid, world wide, mass

communication through the Internet, email, and fax machines, as well as diverse

and increasing numbers of publications, radio and television stations. More

organizations tend to be created in response to increasing knowledge and

information- along with more regulations and more bureaucracy.

Population density We went forth and multiplied. Now we wait in long lines, sit

in traffic jams, and witness phenomenons such as " road rage. "

Increased cost of living. Today it takes more money to live at the same standard

of living as our parents did. Many women cannot afford to stay home with their

children, and two-income families have become the norm. As a result, people are

feeling strained by the lack of quality time and energy they can bring to their

families and relationships.

Job uncertainty. Many businesses have gone through phases of " merging and

purging. " Most people don't expect to stay at the same job for decades, but many

are working longer and harder than ever.

Mobility. Increasing choices, and job and lifestyle changes are leading people

to move more frequently. Look at your address book. How many times in the last

five, ten or 20 years have you crossed off the addresses of friends and family

members? How many times have they crossed off yours?

Rapid change. Here today, gone tommorow-that seems to be the law of modern life.

But unless we know how to manage it, rapid change can take its toll on physical

and mental health, jobs, relationships, family life, and goals.

What is simplicity?

Making changes to simplify certain aspects of life can be the antidote to living

in such a complex society. But simplification is a very individual matter-what'

s considered simple and stress-relieving to one person might be burdensome and

stressful to another. For example, you may eat convenience foods because they

save you time and energy. Your friend, on the other hand, may find convenience

foods expensive and rather " inconvenient " for her family food budget.

The most important part of the simplification process is introspection--taking

an honest and in-depth look at yourself and your life and then identifying

things that can be changed. Simple enough? Yes and no. That is, some changes can

be relatively easy to make. You may decide to unclutter your house by throwing

out items that you really don't need and scaling back on your consumption. On

the other hand, you may find that you need a major overhaul to find a simpler

life-a change of career or financial goals, a geographical relocation, or a

change in perception through intensive psychotherapy.

What makes the concept of simplication difficult for some people is that it

implies that you must give up something. But many people derive invaluable

benefits from simplifying their lives-more time, freedom, self-expression and a

chance to live with more clarity and meaning. Simplification is a deeply

personal endeavor and should be approached with the following things in mind:

Values/Priorities. What is most important to you? What would you have the

hardest time living withou--your health, spouse, family, friends, time, creative

projects? (This can be a tricky one. For example, you may say that you value

money, but by looking deeper within yourself, you may find that what you really

value is freedom, self-reliance, time, friends, or self-esteem, which you think

money will buy for you).

Identity. Who are you? What talents, skills, activities and types of

environments bring you the most enjoyment? Are you living authentically-

speaking your truth and living according to your own values (values that you've

examined and owned) or someone else's?

Time/Pace. How do you manage time and pace yourself? Is your natural pace 100

miles per hour or a bit slower and more reflective? Examine your current pace

and your energy levels. If you're feeling exhausted or burned out, you may need

to slow down, or at least change where you are focusing the majority of your

energy.

Purpose. What do you most want to do with your life and are you doing that right

now? How do you wish to direct your talents? Are you living purposefully?

Vision. What is your ideal lifestyle and environment? What would your life look

like if you could design it exactly the way you wanted? You can't always " have

it all, " but think about how close you can get to that vision now,

realistically.

Ways to simplify your life

The list of things you can do to simplify your life is probably endless. Big

changes will require a good deal of thought and planning. But there are many

small changes you can make to simplify your life right now, such as:

Buy a simple car-one that has less gadgets to fix.

Do your shopping all at once, and preferrably in the same place.

Reduce the clutter in your home and office. Throw out things that you don't use.

Buy classic clothes that don't go out of style.

Throw out your dry cleanables

Shop during off-hours.

Get a simple, low-maintenance hairstyle.

Downscale to a smaller home or less expensive car.

Find a way to turn your hobby into your primary source of income.

Make a conscious effort to reflect upon and appreciate the simple things in your

life-those things that you may be taking for granted.

Simplifying your life isn't always simple, but something as easy as getting more

organized can be a big help. As some of the complexity decreases from your life,

you may find greater clarity and peace of mind.

 

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care

provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a

substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the

advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting

any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical

condition.

2006 - EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

source: http://www.beliefne t.com/healthandh ealing/getconten t.aspx?cid=

21278 & WT.mc_id=NL54

 

 

______________________________\

____

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ