Sunday, July 29, 2007

Learn to Rest and Relax. It is necessary!

It is very important that you recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout. Anyone can have burnout caused by long-term exposure to demanding work situations.

Burnout is the cumulative result of stress. It is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. - more details

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” - William S. Burroughs

Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” - Ralph Marston

Take a look at this illustration:


A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?"

They answered anywhere from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "It does not matter on the absolute weight.
It depends on how long you hold it.
If I hold it for a minute, it is OK.
If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance.
It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.

The lecturer continued, "If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier." "What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again."

We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on. So before you return home from work tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it back home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you are having now on your shoulders, let it down for a moment if you can. Pick it up again later when you have rested... Rest and relax.

"Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit. Inner peace begins with a relaxed body." - Norman Vincent Peale

Do you have a lot of burden that you find it difficult to put down? For those that have good tips how to put down your burden, please comments and share your wisdom.

(Source of this illustration: Internet; Author Unknown)

Photo by fortinbras taken from this source

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6 comments:

Sue said...

If I had only read this before I made my post... but thank you! I never thought of my burdens and stress this way. That lecture puts a new light on it. This is my cue to just relax.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Sue,
Thanks! I'm glad this little post made sense to you.

May all your burden be lifted off your shoulder and be blessed with wonderful time always!

Best Wishes

surjit singh said...

I like lecturer's words:
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier."
And this is a hard fact.
"Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest"
A Good post Sam Chan. Best wishes.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Surjit,
Indeed, "Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest". Thanks for adding your insightful views. I really value your participation.

Have a great day, Surjit!
Best Wishes

WaterLearner said...

Hi Sam,

My humble view is to learn the important art of letting go. No matter how small an instance is, if we hold on, the ultimate person to suffer is ourselves.

Let our hearts be like the state of a lake. When the birds fly over the lake, the lake holds reflections of the birds. But once the birds are gone, so are the images.

In the same way, let no images stay in our hearts and burden our souls.

Sam Chan said...

Hi Water Learner,

You are right!.. it is good to learn the art of letting go! I believe meditation is one of the method.

Thanks for adding your insightful views. I really value your participation.

Best Wishes