The Speed of life
The earth is spinning at approximately 1040 mph. Sometimes it seems that our daily lives are spinning at that speed too. Unless you live like a hermit in the middle of nowhere, cut off from the world around you, then there people and things clamouring for your attention. From the people in your life; family, friends even work colleagues and acquaintances all want some of your attention. Then there is the old guard media; news, papers, radio and now the new media of social networks and push driving technology like Instagram and Twitter.
15.5 hours a day
A new study carried out at the University of San Diego states that the amount of media demanded and delivered would take 15.5 hours a day to consume. So where do we get the time to do all the other things we need to do like work, eat, sleep and spend time with family? Well this media is coming at us as multiple streams, sorta like multitasking media and distractions. If this carries on we see levels of stress escalating and behaviours worsening.
So what can we do?
So the thing to do here is unplug yourself. No I’m not saying go cold turkey and delete all your social media accounts and drop off the grid, though some might relish the challenge. What I am advocating here is having a media free zone or period of time.
One rule we try and abide in our house is no social media or email when the kids are around. So for example in the morning when the kids are having breakfast and getting ready for school, phones and tablets are set to silent and kept out of sight. When the kids return from school, again, social media and phones and tablets are on silent. This has two benefits; one, reducing the amount of time and energy spent on social media and two, allowing time to spend with the children.
That’s all well and good I hear you say, but how will that make me calm.
Reducing the amount of media blasted into our minds has an ongoing effect of reducing stress and therefore increasing calm.
I’m still not calm!! What else should I do?
Reducing stress and increasing human connection does have a calming effect but most of us will need a more direct approach. Here I would suggest a few things
- Join a Yoga class
- Start a practice of daily meditation
- Learn about and practice Mindfulness
Do at least one of these on a consistent basis and watch how calm and peace flows into your life.
Don’t know where to start of what aspects of your life you want or need to improve, then get in touch with me and I will enable you to free your inner self.
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With Love and Respect
Paul
Inner Self Liberator
