Recharge and Be Ready

Life can be exhausting at times; we feel the pressure from the demands of everyday life. Sometimes, we feel the need to take on challenges just to prove to ourselves that we can handle it and keep our skills sharp. However, there are times in which it could be a bit detrimental to overextend ourselves and take on unnecessary challenges just for the sake of sport.

If we take on too many challenges, then overstimulation may wear out our nerves. When we become a bit exhausted, our performance suffers, as well as our attitude and overall zest for life.

Society these days seems to be a bit of a paradox at times. While many people glorify the American dream of getting rich quick and living for leisure, there is a contradiction present in which working long and additional hours is also glorified. Workaholics spend so much time at work either because the are avoiding something or they simply don’t want to be viewed as useless.

However, life isn’t just about work and even if work is a big priority, having rest is a requirement to being effective. Our batteries need to be recharges. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways we can do such a thing without destroying ourselves through alcohol or other substances. While many people think they enjoy alcohol or substance, it’s actually poison (which most people know) and it messes with sleep, mood, and body chemistry – leaving us in worse condition that before.

We can recharge ourselves by stimulating our minds in a variety of ways. Simply listening to music, reading a book, eating a favorite meal, or spending time outdoors can create a major shift in mood. The key to actually getting the benefit is by being completely present to the moment and allowing yourself to experience the feelings rather than rush through them. All of this sounds cliché if you’ve never given it a chance – preferring to eat junk food or having beer as the go-to response for inducing relaxation.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having some junk food or beer in moderation, but that’s the key – moderation. As they say, “Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.” There are fewer things worse than becoming addicted to something. I’ve met a man who smoked, and said “My body wants it, so it must be a good thing for me.” I was shocked at how blind he was and how genuinely he believed that his addiction was not just normal, but good.

We often can’t understand the relief found in the natural things of life apart from substances and technology. With addictive habits, we remind ourselves of the original rush of dopamine we get and gradually lose sight of what’s happening through the process of desensitization. Over time, we become addicted by a sense of needing to maintain a feeling of being “normal” - an avoidance of withdrawal. Nature balances out the imbalances we impose upon ourselves, but we just need to be patient and trust in the results that come. Although gradual - the results come and they bring a deeper sense of peace and relaxation.

For further related reading, please check out: Let In Get Out.