Harnessing the Perks of Tranquility: Incorporating Calm Moments into Your Healthy Lifestyle Plan
Ditch the relentless hustle, folks. Tired of those fleeting peace and serenity moments in your day?
Western Culture has a knack for glorifying workload, bordering on an obsession with the number of to-dos and tasks anyone might have on their plate at any given moment. How many times have you heard someone drone on about how busy they are? Busyness has become a contest between parents, businesspeople, students, and even children.
Everyone's trying to prove to the next person that they're busier, more productive, more accomplished, and ultimately "more important." When did our obligations become the yardstick for success?
💭Insights: The Cultural Roots of Busyness
The trend of valuing busyness can be traced back to several societal factors:- Cultural Values: Western societies have long revered achievement, progress, and economic success, leading to a pervasive societal pressure to be constantly productive.- Economic Systems: Capitalist economies thrive on productivity and growth, reinforcing the notion that busyness is a virtue.- Historical Influences: The Protestant work ethic, which emphasizes hard work and diligence, has been a significant contributor to this mindset in many Western nations.
🧘 Lie Back and Let Go
When you think of the definition of success, what comes to mind? A CEO scaling the corporate ladder? A contented family? An academic acing every exam?
These achievements are undeniably noteworthy and praiseworthy, but is a gold star on your report card or diploma the ultimate measure of success?
I don't think so.
Success can mean many things—the joy of rising early to watch the sunrise, the pleasure of cooking a meal for yourself, a moment of introspection during meditation, or even forming a new connection.
Merriam-Webster defines success as "a degree or measure of succeeding. Favorable or desired outcome. The attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence."
When we broaden our view of success, we might find ourselves relishing in doing what we truly want and even finding joy in doing nothing. There's an Italian phrase, associated with the renowned movie, Eat, Pray, Love, that says, "la dolce far niente." This translates to "the sweetness of doing nothing."
🌎 Mindfulness Across the Globe
Many people and cultures across the globe understand that life is for living, not just for working from 9-5 and spending the rest of your time working even harder. This is the reason behind Mexico's siestas, the French refusal to discuss business at parties or outside of work, and the Italian tradition of enjoying decadent lunches with loved ones during the day.
So why is it so hard for Americans to follow suit?
In today's world, our minds are continuously bombarded by stimuli—phones, emails, social media, and news notifications that overload our brains with noise. When we take a step back from the chaos, we may just find ourselves indulging in "the sweetness of doing nothing."
When was the last time you took a sick day from work just to do nothing? When was the last time you took a leisurely lunch break or left your computer for an hour to journal in the park or attend a yoga class?
If you can't remember the last time you took a break from your workday or stepped outside for a moment of peace and quiet, let's change that!
🧠The Power of Self
Spending time with yourself, away from distractions, can offer significant benefits for your mental well-being and overall worldview. And here's the kicker—spending time alone doesn't mean alienation. According to the New York Times, solitude helps us regulate our emotions and can have a calming effect that prepares us to better engage with others.
Finding those moments of mindfulness and solitude gives both our work lives and relationships a boost. As leaders within companies, it's crucial to prioritize the mental and physical wellness of your team. When employees can take time to engage in activities that bring them peace, tranquility, and stillness, they come to work feeling refreshed, more productive, and more creative.
Let's champion the leaders who strive to create a culture that nurtures the numerous benefits of stillness. Need inspiration? We've got some tips for you.
- Lie down in the grass outside.
- Start a gratitude journal.
- Ground yourself by walking barefoot.
- Read a collection of poetry.
- People-watch from outside your office building.
- Drink a teacup filled with soothing herbs.
- Tend to your desktop garden.
- Take meditative breaths.
- Create a vision board.
- Get your hands dirty by gardening.
- Turn off your phone.
Miss out on more wellness tips and mindfulness practices? Check out our blog, The Sage. 📚📖🚀🌱☯️🌸🌻🌱🌷🌺🌹
- Incorporating gardening into your lifestyle can help bring a sense of tranquility and mindfulness to your home-and-garden space, providing a welcome respite from the relentless pace of modern life.
- Achieving a holistic approach to success involves balancing productivity with self-care, creating opportunities for wellness activities such as gardening, which can contribute to overall life satisfaction and lifestyle enhancement.
