Drowning?
As someone who almost drowned and had to be resuscitated, I can say that it seems like a pretty good way to go. Once the initial struggle is replaced by acceptance of death, it is quite serene. I think the worst way to go would be in that in between phase, where it is just panic and struggle.
I think that this is whare many of us are now.
We aren't floundering in water, but in life itself, trying to survive under the constant pressures applied on us and by us in daily life. For most in this position, the only "escape" is through entertainment distraction in one form or another. Yet the more we do this, the greater the problems become, and the more we spiral downward, feeling victimised, helpless and worn out.
Many say they are too wornout to workout.
As I have said myself many times before, that is rarely the case. Mentally and emotionally drained, doesn't mean physically drained, though it can often feel that way. It is not that they are completely disconnected, but often our brain gives us false positive signals saying we don't have energy, even though our body is packed with energy. If it wasn't, we would be losing weight, not putting it on.
As I see it, you don't have to be in fitness model condition or even close to great shape in order to benefit from working out consistently. It isn't about improving your looks, or looking better naked, or even living longer. We are conditioned to "live in the moment" and do what we like, yet the majority of the people I talk to are feeling pretty shitty in the moment, because they are in such poor condition. Their necks and backs hurt from slouching over screens all day, their eyes are sore for the same reason. They struggle to put on their shoes, and wake up with aches and pains. They worry about their finances and the state of the world, as well as the environment and what the neighbours think of them.
Binge another show?
If we aren't solving our problems through our actions, we are creating our problems through our actions. And what most of us seem to be doing is looking to avoid the problems we have, as we bury our noses deeper and deeper into a scree.
- U.S. Data: Americans average 7 hours and 4 minutes of daily screen time.
- Generational Differences: Gen Z spends roughly 9 hours, Millennials 4.5 hours, Gen X 4 hours, and Baby Boomers 3.5 hours on screens.
Considering a lot of Gen-Z are not working, it goes to show how much time they are spending on their screens being entertained, being conditioned, choosing to avoid rather than engage with life. Then of course, complaining that they don't have opportunities. For the record, by age 35-44, Millennials are on track to be the fattest generation in history. But, Gen-Zers are fatter when young than Millennials were at the same age.
Perhaps, 6-hours on average, with an hour of exercise?
There is a lot of shit going on in the world and apparently in many people's lives too, and it is wearing us down and out. However, I have sneaking suspicion that for many people, if they just cut out chunk of the avoidance activities and got moving, a lot of life's issues would start to get sorted out. People would feel better about themselves, have more energy, think more clearly, and get new perspectives on what they face, and start dealing with it, instead of turning away from it.
This week is the first week of Smallsteps' "exercise routine" where she and I sat down and built a program she can do in her room in about five minutes. She will do it 5 times a week, and will mark it on a schedule. If consistent after three months, we will do something as a family together, or something special for her and a friend or something.
But today, she came home and said she will do her homework and then "I have to do the exercise" - she them corrected herself and changed it to "I get to do the exercises". The distinction is important and I have never had the conversation about this with her before, so I am not sure why she changed it, but it led into a conversation about how many people in the world don't get to do certain things, because of conditions beyond their control. But also, a lot of people don't do things they know they should, because they Get in their own way.
Being healthy isn't necessary. Nor is eating well. Nor is having energy to walk a flight of stairs or the the strength to lift up a baby. No one is forcing you to be better at all. It is up to you. You get to decide whether you are going to workout consistently, or be wornout consistently. Whether you are going to look in the mirror and like yourself, or not. Whether you are able to tie your own shoes without struggle, wear the clothes you want to wear, go to the places you want to go, or be the kind of person you want to be.
You get to choose.
Are you going to drown, or learn to swim?
Taraz
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That's part of the reason I squeeze my workout in as soon as I get up. I know that if I waited until I got home from work I would probably just get home and say ah screw it, I will do it tomorrow. It sucks, because I usually have more time in the evening than I do in the morning, but I just know it's the best way to ensure I do it.
Do you then find something useful for the evening too? Learn an instrument, or work outside (when the weather permits)
If the weather is nice I spend time with my wife or I go disc golfing with my friend. The rest of the time it's more about decompressing after the stressful day
As you said, the truth is that whatever happens to us is a result of our actions and also inaction. Many of us are drowned in sea of life challenges and circumstances and even think about the negative side of what life throws at us and then seeking a way out of it. At times, when I listen to young adult when they complain about jobs and their life generally, I usually ask them what they are doing in preparation for the opportunity the future hold but only for many for give flimsy and unnecessary excuses.
Success often requires luck, but luck doesn't fall to the unprepared.
Its a mental drain thing or mental/psychological exhaustion which has replaced physical exhaustion in this generation, thats why these days i go to visit my friends at home and they are like im so tired and they've done nothing all day but sit around at home and scroll. I'm like how are you tired and youve done nothing all day?
Yet, they seem to feel like they have run a marathon.
you're right, if we aren't solving our problems, we're creating them. Using entertainment as an escape usually just makes the real-world problems pile up higher.Glad to hear the family routine is off to a good start.
Perhaps people no longer recognise the difference between escape and real-world?
I think the connection between our physical health and mental wellness is clear. We should start valuing physical activity more than just aimlessly scrolling through our devices. First of all, I should do that for my belly :)
If only I could watch what I eat a little more closely....
"Their necks and backs hurt from slouching over screens all day, their eyes are sore for the same reason". Bro i covered my eyes, this write up was directed at me!!
I had you in mind specifically.
Lol!!
This is honest. Fitness isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about reducing unnecessary suffering in everyday life.
My Dad's philosophy was always 'ya gotta keep moving'. This fed down to me, which you are doing with Smallsteps.
At the moment I'm struggling post hip injection with my mental health as I'm in so much pain I can't really keep moving. Kills me. I mean even Dad, middle of cancer treatment, would do yoga and short walks. He was an absolute legend for motion.
'I get to move' made me cry this morning. I miss my Dad.
It must be terrible experience the drown...
People now like to drown their thoughts and fears in the screen and on socials, it's easy to distract the mind, hence the body and don't think at the rest and the problems and try to solve them...
I think the mental wellbeing controls the physical, so it is what the mental absorbs in that's what flows and becomes reality in physical @tarazkp I love this write up
I watched a video of Steve Harvey talking about this subtle trick the other day, and indeed it helps by making us see the activity from a different perspective, a perspective that makes us somehow oblivious of the physical or mental exertion needed to do it. And I have to say that's smart.
This shows we can use our words to recreate our experiences, see our experiences differently and thus react to them differently. Like someone who's just lost their job can reframe the experience in a positive way that, instead of making him sink under the load of despair, leads him to take necessary positive actions about that situation, while lightening the emotional burden it creates.
That is a good analogy you make between drowning and struggles we face in life. I too feel that many use screen time to escape their struggles. Personally, I used it as a way to forget my own challenges. But in reality it just made the mental health worse.
I agree htat physical exercise can help with mental health. I know when I was more fit that I would feel much better mentally after working out or running. Especially after running I would feel better. My youngest is very sedentary and it shows recently in his weight and appearance. I hate it for him. Even tried to talk to him, but he's not listening.
Taking contrl of mine on this end, slowly but surely. Just did my Tai Chi yesterday. Not sure what I will do today yet.
I have increased my exercising in a significant way this year and cut on deserts eating about one fourth of deserts I used to eat. I feel better with lass pains in my back when I exercise, but in terms of weight loss it is a VERY slow progress. I went down from a record weight of around 220 to 214 now in about a month, not great but I feel a lot better.
Daily workouts are important, they are much better than 3 times a week. Of course the type of workouts also matter. I kept 3 weight lifting sessions but added about 4 sessions of calisthenics.
I wish that's all mine hurt from XD
What does smallsteps do for her little exercise routine? :D Is this in addition to phys ed/sports at or after school? Or because they don't have it at school and she doesn't get outside to play enough?
I hope she keeps "getting" to do the exercise rather than "having" to do it as one of those is more likely to feel like "punishment" than the other XD
and I don't need to suggest you to change it up every so often to keep it interesting because you already know so just ignore me I'm only doing it to make myself feel better
This author is incredible: [Literature] Johann Gottlieb Fichte: Sun-Clear Statement 2/41