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Shifting From Burnout to Balance
We all want our lives to be productive, rewarding, and balanced, yet few people today enjoy a lifestyle that gives them a sense of wholeness, let alone any sense of balance or control. Interest in ancient traditions that restore balance is becoming one of the most powerful and widespread trends of the twenty-first century. From the practice of yoga and meditation to sound healing, these technologies are enabling individuals to feel more energized, to reduce their levels of stress, to improve their overall health and well-being, and to make life decisions with greater ease.
The Costs of Stress
In our culture, it is easy to become addicted to speed and the adrenaline highs of a stress-filled life. Stress is a useful stimulus until it turns into dis-tress, which is the leading cause of anxiety disorders, depression, immune deficiencies, and life-threatening illnesses. Life in the fast lane compromises our health and financial resources, as well as our ability to make good decisions. When our lives are out of balance, we are given valuable messages that alert us to the dangers. We may notice that we are experiencing more colds than usual, minor accidents or disagreements and frustrations with coworkers, family or friends.
As the total cost of health care and related expenses approaches 17 percent of our Gross National Product, it is time to give some serious thought to technologies that are relatively inexpensive and accessible to all ages and income levels. Some of the more sobering statistics that point to a crisis in our culture are that:
- An estimated 1 million workers are absent on an average workday because of stress-related complaints.
- Stress has been linked to all of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, accidents, and suicides.
- Over 75 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints.
Beliefs of Ancient Cultures
For more than 50,000 years, ancient cultures have been cultivating body and mind disciplines as keys to healing and spiritual power. These disciplines are especially valuable for people who are highly driven but are also susceptible to the resultant tension and stress. Ancient wisdom teaches that we are a multi-dimensional, interacting subtle energy system. When that energy system goes out of balance, there may be resulting pathological system imbalances that manifest on the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual planes.
Mainstream Americans in record numbers are applying ancient disciplines to produce practical, personal, and immediate results in their lives. Some of the most popular and effective are:
Deep Breathing — Deep, controlled breathing is a natural tranquilizer and rejuvenator. When you breathe deeply, you raise your level of energy, which slows down the aging process and helps you to look and feel younger.
Meditation — The numerous forms of meditation include a focus on breathing, silent words and phrases or particular energy centers of the body. The practice of meditation fosters a relaxed state of awareness, insight into problems, lessening of stress, improved health maintenance, and increased productivity.
Yoga — Yoga is an Indian science of physical and mental health that is more than five thousand years old. The word “yoga” means “union” and is the practice of postures, breath work, and meditation.
Chi Gung — Chi Gung means to work with the energy of life. The Chinese have long believed in its effectiveness in healing and preventing disease. The practice of Chi Gung can increase stamina, balance, and coordination, and build strength.
Toning and Sound — The use of sound to affect health and alter awareness has been practiced for thousands of years in many religious traditions. Singing, toning, and chanting have been proven to affect the emotional circuitry of the brain, inducing profound states of relaxation and even improving learning abilities.
Finding balance amongst the chaos is an art, not a science, and there are no singular solutions. Yet when you learn how to become more focused and balanced, you can make wise decisions and the right choices. Understanding and embracing the wisdom of ancient technologies can contribute immeasurably to your well-being and has the potential to make a significant impact in the reduction of health care costs.