Weekly Wellness News

December 10, 2007

Feature: Decompression

We're approaching the end of the year. As we do, we're coming up on the one time where the whole country grinds to a halt for two weeks. Schools let out. Businesses go into a quasi-idle mode. People find or create time to relax and get away from it all.

And yet most people don't really let go of all the junk in their heads. The stress levels stay high, the tension is still there. The only real change is in what the stress is about.

This is a great opportunity to let it all go. You've got several days off, or, if you do have to work, shorter-than-normal days. It's dark and cold (for most of us), so it should be easy to stay in for a quiet night or two and just relax.

When I was in the Navy, we used to dedicate the first two or three days back from a long underway to what we called 'decompression'. The idea was simple: get away from the boat and the crew, and do something totally different. Let go of all the built-up baggage. Come back when we're refreshed. At Microsoft, it was similar after we shipped a product: take a couple days and do anything other than working on a computer.

Any activity is fine. Some are inherently better than others. At the top of the list are physical activities. Studies have shown that physical exertion and exercise naturally wash stress away. Also good are the quiet activities or hobbies that many of us have: reading, creating art, and meditation, for instance.

The important thing is to be willing to let go of everything you've been hauling around. Just drop it. Leave your work behind. Let yourself be present in this moment, not caught up in yesterday's troubles.

Take care of yourself. Use this quiet season as a chance to decompress from the build-up of the last year. Choose to start the new year fresh.

Resources:

• Stress Management Techniques [www.mentalhelp.net]
• Welcome to the Age of Anxiety: How to cope with the world spinning out of control [www.selfgrowth.com]
• Life is good. So why can't you stop worrying? [www.msnbc.msn.com]

Other news

• Put a cork in it...: Global Farting [www.slate.com]
• ...or take a pill...: Pill stops cow burps and helps save the planet [www.guardian.co.uk]
• ...or just study the output: Eco-friendly kangaroo farts could help global warming: scientists [news.yahoo.com]

Book review: The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Years ago, a book was written by Dan Millman which was deeply profound and, for many, life-altering. The Way of the Peaceful Warrior follows the main character, Dan, as he not only matures but also realizes deeper spiritual truths and starts a lifelong journey of the soul.

Two years ago, a movie based on the book was released. This movie condenses into two hours some of the lessons that take a lifetime to master. In a wonderful combination of drama, comedy, and deep wisdom, the story comes to life. This is what Hollywood should be.

Both the movie and the book are wonderful. Each tells the same story but in a different way. Rather than trying to recreate the book on screen, the director utilizes the medium in a different way to show a new perspective. This means that the two are complimentary. Each is wonderful in it's own right, but the two together are even better.

If you are haven't read or seen these, by all means, get them now.

From the editor

With each passing moment, the we are closing in on the end of the year. For some reason, this year feels jam-packed with dozens of little things I feel like I should be doing. When my time is short, all my projects suffer a little bit.

It will be nice to have a couple weeks with no commuting to work, no full days, and no schedule so I can refocus my energy again. I look forward to taking time for me soon.

Until then, I've got two more weeks of a full schedule. No TV for me tonight...

Healthy thoughts,
Jeff

Copyright 2007, Jeffrey Eliasen.
Do not reprint without express permission from the author.
Forwarding is permitted if (and only if) the newsletter is
forwarded in its entirety (including this notice).