“Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” ~Lao Tzu
We create stress with the discursive mind – constantly running self talk that reacts to anything, everything and nothing. When the ego-mind (read self-talk) is in charge, we are hyper-alert to any possible threat, insult or injury.
Worried. Wary. Anxious. Restless. Scattered. Spacey. We may project a calm demeanor; underneath we are a hypertensive mess.
In this state of hyper-vigilance, the body is in flight, fight or freeze mode all the time. The effects on mental and physical well-being are potentially quite deadly.
- Approximately 43 percent of adults are negatively affected by long-term stress
- More than 50 percent of people experience a long-term emotional disorder, commonly stemming from stress
- The vast majority of doctor visits are for stress-related ailments (up to 90 percent)
- Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.
Modern life – and how we perceive it – is the leading cause of over-eating, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, road rage, shopping addiction and any number of other self-destructive, self-defeating ways we seek to take the edge off.
How do we get a grip on ourselves? Here are 5 ways to reduce stress by doing less.
