Stress is a part of our everyday lives. In big cities with high expectations and even greater demands, the anxiety level can be obscene. So it’s on all of us to strike a work/life balance and take care of ourselves and in many cases our families as well. How do we unwind, unplug and relax when we are afraid to take our foot off the gas? And if we dare to get too comfy lounging around, what if we start to neglect our responsibilities and end up in hot water? This is a trap none of us can afford to fall into. So what does it mean to be too comfortable?
I saw a funny meme that said the older you get, the more ugly you’re willing to show yourself in public. Do you think that’s true?? Mismatched clothes to the gym? Yeah, who’s looking. Pjs to get the mail? Doesn’t everyone? I’ll just do laundry next weekend? Yessir. It’s so hard to unwind and by the time you do it’s time to go back to work. So how can you sink into relaxation without losing your head… or in the case of our friend Cookie here, his lower half, and still amble back to work reasonably rested and ready for another round of corporate life?
During the workday taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs, expand your mind, distract yourself and recharge are central to longevity in a career. (So is lunch!!) And after hours we have to make time to indulge our passions, enjoy recreation and events, and explore creative outlets and challenging hobbies. Curiosity is central to being happy. But don’t go to pieces if things don’t work out the way you’ve planned. Like if you have to unexpectedly work late or put time in on a weekend. Or if your personal life bleeds into the workday with an emergency, doctor appointment or family matter. The more flexible you can be anticipating the wrinkles, the more easily you’ll be able to hold it all together.
I wish both high schools and colleges would teach a subject called Life to graduating seniors. In addition to learning to change a tire, save for retirement, care for our health, negotiate a lease, juggle family matters, build networking skills, maintain a credit score, and interview for a job, maybe they could throw in some classes focused on emotional intelligence instead of the Dewey Decimal System and complex trigonometry which I’ve yet to encounter in modern times. Why not arm the next generation with information regarding self-esteem, empathy for others and the concept that how people behave is a direct reflection of who they are and where they’re at, and it’s usually not about you (their audience) at all. Wouldn’t these topics help young adults navigate life more easily than say chemistry to be successful in the real world?
If we were taught to be balanced, centered, accepting and really take care of ourselves I think we’d have a much easier time handing work and home stresses as adults without completely falling apart. These are learned and practiced mindsets and habits from which we can all benefit. The reward? Inner peace! And maybe a treat? And for some reason I’m totally craving a gingerbread cookie…
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