Using Journaling and Meditation to Reclaim Joy

Moving along the treadmill of life, many of us succumb to the ever-present pressures to be faster, stronger, more efficient, and smarter. Perspective on what is happening in our lives is lost. We focus on failure and lacking within ourselves, rather than the abundance and opportunities for growth that surround us. We stop taking the time to appreciate the simple pleasures of our lives as we spiral our way into a depleted existence — physically, emotionally, and mentally. Now more than ever, there is a global need to circumvent this pattern of being. We need to learn to unconditionally love and appreciate ourselves just as we are, how we are. Growing Epidemic Traditionally, it was believed the cause of stress, anxiety, and depression was attributable to genetic disposition, personality traits, the existence of stressful events, physical health problems, and substance abuse, as well as serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine imbalances within the brain. Whilst this is largely still the case, this perception has altered over the last decade or so. In our fast-paced world, we judge ourselves as harshly as we judge others. We are encouraged and manipulated to compete with others with whom we continually compare ourselves. We try so hard to emulate or exceed expectations placed upon us that we forget our personal needs in the process (no time for that!). Stress and anxiety often manifest as a result as we try and prove our worth to the world, and depression looms when we judge ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Brain Blogger Creativity Happiness Inspiration & Hope Mindfulness Motivation and Inspiration Publishers Journaling Meditation Mindfulness Meditation Perspective Self-reflection well-being Source Type: blogs