In a crowded world full of information, overflowing with sensory input, expectations, time constraints, duties, obligations, one indeed needs more than their own wit and resourcefulness to manage and survive – let alone thrive.
People often talk of times past. Right? You’ve heard them. You’ve most probably done it yourself. Granted, there is a natural amount of pure nostalgia in this – a longing for childhood, teenage or college years, all in all, a simpler and more relaxed time. A time when you didn’t have responsibilities, 17 things you have to do before sunset, children, deadlines at work, health issues as you get older… But also, there is some logic behind all this. The 21st century, with all its problems and inadequacies, had some of the simplicity that is now long gone. It had:
- Less information. The information age brought innumerable benefits, but it became difficult to navigate it all while preserving your sanity.
- Less job-related stress (naturally, we’re only talking of the developed West here – for it’s all we know, and we wouldn’t want to talk of things we’ve never experienced). The mass-market, globalized, faster, more cutthroat, more competitive, has rendered the average worker more susceptible to change, to fluctuations in employment, etc.
- Less social-media influence. This may also fall within the ‘less information’ category, but we’ve decided to place this under a separate dash. Today, you can see hundreds of people live their lives, every day. Their lives look perfect – made perfect for that one Facebook or Instagram post. Believe it or not, this creates tremendous pressure. You suddenly want a life like that. You need to live a life like that. Why, Hong Kong, at this time of year – again…? You’d also like to travel more. Be more fit, have a better body. You’d love it if your significant other loved you as much as they love them. Their life is perfect. Then why are you sitting at home, alone, wasting it all away?
So, in order to combat all this (if only for a day), the 21st century human being decided to come together on September 13 and celebrate Positive Thinking Day.
It is an informal, mock holiday that wants to promote positive thinking. It is vital that you stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
How?
Well, you can jog. Go to the gym. Keep with your doctor’s appointments.
You can use techniques of positive visualisation, meditation, yoga (both physical and mental benefits), as well as various other relaxing techniques.
Never has mental health been more in danger than it is today. This is clearly visible from a plethora of different WHO reports, which show that more and more people get treated for depression every year, that antidepressant prescriptions are at an all-time high, that generalized anxiety disorders are soaring, etc.
What can you do to help yourself and others come September 13?
A lot of things.
First, learn about the power of positive thinking. This is no obscure trickery, no voodoo concept that doesn’t really help with anything – there is clear, documented evidence that positive thinking helps reduce stress. Stress is a contributing factor (again, proven and documented) in many autoimmune, mental and various other illnesses. Less stress means a healthier mind, and a healthier mind will in turn let you live a more fulfilled, balanced life.
Second, learn about the importance of mental health. You may not even notice that, living a fast, ruthless and schizophrenic life in an increasingly schizophrenic society, you perhaps exhibit certain symptoms of depression, anxiety, and general mental and emotional malaise. Learn to recognise them, and learn to help yourself. It will prove exceedingly beneficial in the long run.
Third, learn to value your mental health as much as you value the physical. There is still (less and less, but still present) a stigma attached to mental health and psychiatry in general. Someone sees a therapist? Why, they must be mad – there is something wrong with them – they are no person to have around. You’ve probably seen, heard or come in contact with people who say things like this, right?
Fourth, learn to value, first and foremost, yourself. Learn to value yourself as an individual, learn to separate your professional life from your personal, learn not to think of yourself in terms of your accomplishments or your beauty, and learn to love the things you hate about yourself that you cannot possibly change (they are your qualities, not faults).
Fifth and last, teach the value of positive thinking to others. It is (very) important that, once you fully comprehend the importance of positive thinking and positive visualisation, that you teach your loved ones how to do it. It will not only enrich their lives, but will enrich yours as well. 100%.
Life, unfortunately, doesn’t come with a manual. It is difficult to navigate as it is, but our frenzied, fast-paced lifestyles have made it an even more gruesome task. Don’t worry, though, as there are techniques to survive and (listen to this, will ya!) be happy at the end of the day.
Take this opportunity to think about yourself, the people around you, and the direction your life is taking. Then, and only then, after a time of quiet, definitive introspection should you make certain changes, however big or small.
Positive thinking will increase your happiness, your ability to come to difficult decisions, as well as let you deal with the difficulties of everyday life in a more stoic, composed fashion. When you feel like your life is ‘falling apart,’ and comets are striking the ground you walk upon, and there is no sun on the horizon and never will be, remember that there are techniques and ways to combat this – and it would be unwise, nay, downright foolish, for you to let it all to chance – when you have this perfectly viable and valuable tool at your disposal.
Positive thinking for positive thoughts.
We are all in on this one, all 7, 8, 9, 10 billion.
From the crew at Serenata Flowers we wish you a happy and productive Positive Thinking Day!
Comments are closed.