Monday, December 15, 2003
I came across an article which I want to share with you guys. The name of the writer is Judi Sheppard Misset. Hope it might help some of you to cherish life better.
Escaping the ‘hurry trap’.
There just isn’t enough time in the day for most people. With schedules full to brimming, many individuals find themselves running from one commitment to another and losing patience with each passing minutes. And as their annoyance rises, so do their levels of stress, anxiety, irritability and depression.
Aside from making our lives less pleasurable, falling into the ‘hurry trap’ has a very real impact on our health. Stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate all kick into high gear when we are anxious and impatient. If the condition is chronic, we risk weakening our immune system, damaging our blood vessels and elevating our risk for diabetes and heart attack, according to a study by Bruce S. McEwen, Ph.D., a professor of neuroendocrinology at Rockefeller University in New York City. Which gives us something to consider as we head into the busy holiday season.
You can escape the ‘hurry trap’ by employing the following strategies:
•Recognizing the problem. Admitting that you’re rushing through life is the first step to slowing down. If you are constantly cursing traffic because you’re always running late, or feeling overwhelmed because you’re overcommitted, its time to simplify. Consider dropping one or two activities from your weekly schedule. Promise yourself that you will leave work on time at least twice a week. Turn off the television, and reconnect with your family. Take a hard look at your life, and weed out what isn’t important or fulfilling.
•Prepare new responses to familiar situations. Before you hurl an expletive at the slow driver in front of you, take a deep breath and count to 10, or sing a verse from your favourite song.
•Adjust your expectations. If you leave 15 minutes late, accept the fact that you will arrive late. Make whatever phone calls you need to alert those who are waiting for you, then relax and drive safely.
•Put things into perspective. Ask yourself, what’s the worst that can happen from the situation at hand. Chances are the world won’t end and you can calm down.
•Don’t be a perfectionist. You don’t have to have the cleanest house or log the most hours at work. Learn to prioritise your tasks, and let go of the minor details that others probably won’t even notice.
•Write down your daily schedule, including the amount of time each task will take. Sounds simple, but too often people create a to-do list with no consideration for how long it will take to complete it. That’s a recipe for failure. Also, a visual outline of your day will help identify your priorities (time with family, time to exercise), and say no when additional requests for your time arise.
•Exercise regularly. Perhaps the best stress reliever around, exercise improves your health and your outlook. From vigorous aerobic exercise to calming yoga, you can find a workout that suits your mood and physical needs.
Escaping the ‘hurry trap’.
There just isn’t enough time in the day for most people. With schedules full to brimming, many individuals find themselves running from one commitment to another and losing patience with each passing minutes. And as their annoyance rises, so do their levels of stress, anxiety, irritability and depression.
Aside from making our lives less pleasurable, falling into the ‘hurry trap’ has a very real impact on our health. Stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate all kick into high gear when we are anxious and impatient. If the condition is chronic, we risk weakening our immune system, damaging our blood vessels and elevating our risk for diabetes and heart attack, according to a study by Bruce S. McEwen, Ph.D., a professor of neuroendocrinology at Rockefeller University in New York City. Which gives us something to consider as we head into the busy holiday season.
You can escape the ‘hurry trap’ by employing the following strategies:
•Recognizing the problem. Admitting that you’re rushing through life is the first step to slowing down. If you are constantly cursing traffic because you’re always running late, or feeling overwhelmed because you’re overcommitted, its time to simplify. Consider dropping one or two activities from your weekly schedule. Promise yourself that you will leave work on time at least twice a week. Turn off the television, and reconnect with your family. Take a hard look at your life, and weed out what isn’t important or fulfilling.
•Prepare new responses to familiar situations. Before you hurl an expletive at the slow driver in front of you, take a deep breath and count to 10, or sing a verse from your favourite song.
•Adjust your expectations. If you leave 15 minutes late, accept the fact that you will arrive late. Make whatever phone calls you need to alert those who are waiting for you, then relax and drive safely.
•Put things into perspective. Ask yourself, what’s the worst that can happen from the situation at hand. Chances are the world won’t end and you can calm down.
•Don’t be a perfectionist. You don’t have to have the cleanest house or log the most hours at work. Learn to prioritise your tasks, and let go of the minor details that others probably won’t even notice.
•Write down your daily schedule, including the amount of time each task will take. Sounds simple, but too often people create a to-do list with no consideration for how long it will take to complete it. That’s a recipe for failure. Also, a visual outline of your day will help identify your priorities (time with family, time to exercise), and say no when additional requests for your time arise.
•Exercise regularly. Perhaps the best stress reliever around, exercise improves your health and your outlook. From vigorous aerobic exercise to calming yoga, you can find a workout that suits your mood and physical needs.
