Neurological research shows that the brain works best when slightly relaxed. Psychologists say that recovery from time to time is necessary to cope with stress. In the Stone Age, for which we are mostly genetically shaped, we only hunted for a few hours a day. The rest of us probably took it easy and were social.
It is important to work but under good conditions. It helps both the individual and society fight for justice for all.
But in order for us to cope, we need to treat ourselves to rest and enjoyment from time to time.
Self-compassion and realistic goals
Rest and enjoyment build up. Doing this is probably basically about having more moments of self-compassion in life and avoiding unrealistic goals. It means accepting that it is okay to fail and that the environment sometimes does the same. Self-compassion is a prerequisite for our productivity and mental health.
Be with loved ones
Research shows that spending time together reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and makes us feel better. So why not turn off the screens sometimes and instead go for a walk together, cook together or just sit in silence and enjoy each other's company? It is not always what you do, but that you do it together that counts.
For those who feel a little lonely, there is hope! You just have to dare to take the step. Join a hobby group, get involved in a non-profit or make small talk with strangers - sometimes it's unexpected meetings that lead to new friendships. And even if it feels nerve-wracking to say hello to someone new, it can be the start of a long-term relationship. Socializing not only gives us a smile on our faces but also a boost to our health. So schedule coffee breaks, laugh together and embrace the opportunity to make new connections. Perhaps it is precisely through a spontaneous hello that you find your next best friend or love!
Physical activity and mental health
Although exercise cannot completely cure mental illness, it can significantly alleviate symptoms on the day you perform physical activity. Regular exercise releases endorphins and dopamine, which improve mood and provide a sense of well-being. Anders Hansen, psychiatrist and author of "Brain strong”, emphasizes the importance of daily physical movement for brain function and well-being.
Rest and enjoyment
Moments of boredom where we feel contented are important. Many thoughts that come and go we have already solved, and we don't need to constantly solve problems. Just being, whether we're with loved ones, doing the dishes, or cooking, is restful and helps us deal with stress. Daydreaming is very developmental and restful for the brain. This ability can regular mindfulness for example on the toilet in the morning develop. It is also important to express gratitude from time to time for what is actually good in life, for example a cup of coffee, a little sunlight, your bed or that you are doing the best you can. Writing down gratitude, at least three things, every night before bed, can help to appreciate what is actually good and to sleep better.
Inequality and Mental Health
Inequality reduces the mental health of everyone, regardless of whether one is poor or rich. A sustainable society can increase our happiness, but those who fight for justice must also be allowed to relax and enjoy life. It can be through socializing, time with family, art, music, or other fun activities.
Rest through variety
Resting can mean doing the opposite of what we usually do. If we are physically active at work, artistic and intellectual stimulation can help, while those who work with the brain can find rest through physical activity. After all, both the worker and the white-collar worker can enjoy Netflix, which is not so expensive, or a book in the library. The library also lends out films and music these days. Then maybe you can afford an extra good sandwich with nice toppings for the weekend breakfast.
Good Enough attitude
To truly enjoy life, we need adequate rest and a "good enough" attitude of self-compassion and compassion for ourselves and others. Too much screen time and the pursuit of perfection can lead to brain stress and exhaustion. It is important to have moments where we do not do much, just be, and accept that we and others are good enough.
Social media and dopamine
Facebook and other social media influence the brain's reward system through the release of dopamine and oxytocin. These hormones can create a positive feedback loop that makes us spend more time online. But excessive screen time can lead to brain stress and negatively affect our sleep and mental health.
Summary
To achieve true rest and well-being, we should focus on self-compassion, regular recovery, physical activity, acceptance of boredom, and a "good enough" attitude. By balancing our lives and being aware of how we use social media, we can create a healthier and happier existence.
More reading
Free time is productive and well-deserved
Normal to not always have maximum happiness
The new Series Parade cheers you up with apt satire
The root of good - the perfect red-green-pink summer romance
The good life; some thoughts on the first of May
Red right for those who desire the good life
Small changes in more equal societies good for longer, good lives
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Unfortunately, I can say that for me it does not help. Probably I wallow too much in destructive thoughts - which is easily happened in our time when idiots or completely irresponsible types rule, with the consequences this has for all our well-being:
"Almost by definition, such people are unprepared for the responsibility of running a Ministry, let alone a country. They have not done the kind of job, in politics, in business, in the media, even in academia, where they have to take responsibility for things. They do not know how to manage, and so they practice "management," as ticking boxes and reciting slogans is now known. Unfamiliar with the need to engage with detail, they are obsessed with image and presentation*), and view national politics basically as a continuation of the politics of NGOs and party organizations (some would add, of university politics as well.)
Ironically, their very ignorance of the outside world and the lives of ordinary people is one reason why they are reluctant to take expert advice, especially on difficult and complex issues. They have powerful but brittle egos, and little or no real-world experience to use as a basis. Knowing how to get information you can use from others and evaluate it is a skill in itself, and it's not taught, and in my experience hardly ever recognized. Much better, or at least easier, to fall back on a group of "personal advisers" who owe their careers to you and who will tell you what you want to hear. With inexperience and lack of knowledge goes arrogance. There's a pervasive belief among such people that they are better and more intelligent than their (genuinely) professional advisers, whom they often dismiss as conservative or insufficiently imaginative. (I return to this point at greater length below.) In the end, their prospects are determined less by how they appear in parliament or to the people, but how good their media image is, and how far they have advanced in the favors of those who run the party. So their policies are set accordingly.”
Etc https://aurelien2022.substack.com/p/the-evils-of-professionalism
*) funnily enough, Wikipedia's definition of "prig" is "a person who shows an inordinately zealous approach to matters of form and propriety", which is probably the same thing.
Relying solely on professionals as a source of how society can be effective is risky. Often it is those at the bottom of the hierarchy who have the best insight. I'm not saying that personal development can solve everything, but sometimes it can be helpful in dealing with the problems that late capitalism creates. Good self-help says, for example, that it is normal for the brain not to function optimally and to have strange thoughts or get sad for no reason with regularity. At least knowing this helps me.