Through My Eyes

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2014-10-10

"In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions:"When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?" by Gabrielle Roth

As the year draws to a close we are all starting to feel the numbing effect of pressureyear-end preparations, reaching targets, final exams, transfers and vicissitudes. It all compounds to into one massive brain draineach morning I wake up and wish I did not have to get out of bed. I make mental notes about what I would trade to be able to just sleep late and not worry about meetings, deadlines and targets I still have to meet before the year ends.

Recently, a study foundthat those putting in more than an eight-hour day, five days a week, are six times more likely to suffer burn-out syndrome. With one in ten women working more than 45 hours a week, it's no surprise that many are teetering on the brink when it comes to their physical and mental health.

And it's not just perfectionists and workaholics who tip over the edge, according to Dr Joan Borysenko, author of a new book examining this phenomenon. In a recent survey of 2,000 people, it was revealed that as many as one in three women have taken anti-depressants. Eighteen per cent of them did not tell their family they were taking medication, and one in ten did not even confide in her partner. Crucially, even though the symptoms of burnout can resemble depression, medication won't cure it, according to Dr Borysenko. Instead, people need to spot the warning signsand make fundamental changes to their lifestyles.

For many, the downward spiral begins when they start believing they have to be stressed to get anything done. Dr Borysenko says it's vital to recognise the difference between positive and negative stress.

Today with email and cell phones - communication is so instant. In the 'old days' you would wrap up a problem by posting a letter or whatever, and then wait for a response. With a sigh of relief it was off the desk. At least a week would pass before a reply came. You would also take calls when you were at the office. Now it's all immediate response - calls received any time - there is no switc-off time for anyone; emails on your phone - there is no 'away from the office' time and if you do, you are frowned upon.

A lot of today's 'stresses' and anxieties are brought about by trying to keep up with the Jones's and common greed. We live in a capitalist and materialistic society and it's making so many people unhappy trying to 'have it all'.

It's social conditioning that is doing many people disfavour. How many people are actually willing to fly in the face of convention and not give in to peer pressure and competitiveness amongst friends, neighbours and colleagues? The credit crunch has sent us all into a spin. Today we are all working longer and harder for less. Stuck in the rut, we have no choice but to push and push and prove our worth.

When did we stop dancing? When did we stop singing? When did we stop being enchanted by stories? When did we stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?

I think its time to re-evaluate our priorities and listen to our inner voice guiding us to serenity.

Springclean

Enlarge View Link

Nissan T5ekton

Enlarge View Link