There sure seems to be a lot of uptight people in the world these days, don’t you think? Just today I read a story in the newspaper that was totally focused on workplace stress and the intense levels people feel. Close to 70 percent responded that they have a significant level of stress in their jobs, which was described as a 7 or above on a scale of 1-10.
Beyond job stress, you can’t seem to go anywhere without people discussing political divisions, divisiveness in public debate, random shootings or the loss of overall general civility in U.S. society. While I personally don’t believe things are as bad as many feel it is (maybe we should talk a bit more face-to-face and hear out what others have to say rather than jumping to conclusions), there’s no question that there’s a higher level of angst lurking in the background than there probably was five years ago.
We need to learn how to relax better. Some of that requires taking your mind off the matter that is bothering you. I came up with a good idea this past week. It’s simple and easy.
Opening my Twitter account 7 years ago (WOW, has it really been that long?), I joined to promote a book I’d written, help share my weekly newspaper column and occasionally share a photo, book or movie review. In general, my goal was to put out positive information.
As my tweeting and retweeting evolved, I found tremendous photographers on social media and I started following them and sharing their spectacular scenery shots. If a nature scene calmed me, I hit the retweet button. When a photo moved my soul, I shared it. This led to connections with many other people who love fantastic images that improve your emotional mindset.
The idea this past week riffed off that same concept – sharing images that calm you, and take you to another place that is quiet and peaceful. While looking at an image of the brilliant colors of a Wisconsin fall on my desktop screen, I thought, “Heck, I haven’t changed that image in awhile. I need a new one.”
So I went to Google and checked out images for the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota/southern Manitoba, Canada. How settling. Soothing. Majestic.
I scrolled through many pictures. Twice my wife and I have canoed the Boundary Waters, once on our honeymoon and once about 10 years ago. There is almost no way to describe what a transformative experience it is to paddle in the middle of nowhere, for days without seeing people, soaking in nature in its most pristine state.
It was difficult to pick just one picture to select for my desktop screen and save it. Somehow, I was able to accomplish it, and now look at another relaxing image that takes me to another place.
It’s a little thing. But little things add up.
We can all go into our personal files and scroll through pictures that bring back happy memories. Go do that right now. Find one that pleases you. Save it to your desktop. Now, don’t you feel better?
It doesn’t have to be scenery. Family photos work great. The point is to pick something that relaxes you. Golfing, hiking, food, fall colors, snow, fishing, whatever your fancy. Find something and save it. You’ll feel better every time you click the computer on.
Beyond job stress, you can’t seem to go anywhere without people discussing political divisions, divisiveness in public debate, random shootings or the loss of overall general civility in U.S. society. While I personally don’t believe things are as bad as many feel it is (maybe we should talk a bit more face-to-face and hear out what others have to say rather than jumping to conclusions), there’s no question that there’s a higher level of angst lurking in the background than there probably was five years ago.
We need to learn how to relax better. Some of that requires taking your mind off the matter that is bothering you. I came up with a good idea this past week. It’s simple and easy.
Opening my Twitter account 7 years ago (WOW, has it really been that long?), I joined to promote a book I’d written, help share my weekly newspaper column and occasionally share a photo, book or movie review. In general, my goal was to put out positive information.
As my tweeting and retweeting evolved, I found tremendous photographers on social media and I started following them and sharing their spectacular scenery shots. If a nature scene calmed me, I hit the retweet button. When a photo moved my soul, I shared it. This led to connections with many other people who love fantastic images that improve your emotional mindset.
The idea this past week riffed off that same concept – sharing images that calm you, and take you to another place that is quiet and peaceful. While looking at an image of the brilliant colors of a Wisconsin fall on my desktop screen, I thought, “Heck, I haven’t changed that image in awhile. I need a new one.”
So I went to Google and checked out images for the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota/southern Manitoba, Canada. How settling. Soothing. Majestic.
I scrolled through many pictures. Twice my wife and I have canoed the Boundary Waters, once on our honeymoon and once about 10 years ago. There is almost no way to describe what a transformative experience it is to paddle in the middle of nowhere, for days without seeing people, soaking in nature in its most pristine state.
It was difficult to pick just one picture to select for my desktop screen and save it. Somehow, I was able to accomplish it, and now look at another relaxing image that takes me to another place.
It’s a little thing. But little things add up.
We can all go into our personal files and scroll through pictures that bring back happy memories. Go do that right now. Find one that pleases you. Save it to your desktop. Now, don’t you feel better?
It doesn’t have to be scenery. Family photos work great. The point is to pick something that relaxes you. Golfing, hiking, food, fall colors, snow, fishing, whatever your fancy. Find something and save it. You’ll feel better every time you click the computer on.
