Exhaustion: a cultural phenomenon

In this uber-intensive age of multi-tasking, our bodies and minds are being asked to become more productive, more animated and more enlightened with every moment. We are pushing ourselves to create, to think laterally and to expand upon our abilities and talents. We are learning new technologies every day to help us more productively use our time. We are also learning new ways to waste time, using these very same technologies. We are scheduled, we are regimented and we are using every possible moment to our best advantage. Even our cars are places of 'work' now....we can use Blackberries to remain in touch with those who need information even on our drives. We have learned that we can, and must, balance relationships, parenting, career and self-improvement.

And, yet, are we happier? Are we wiser, more in tune with our authentic selves and our environment? We are closer to those we care about emotionally, simply because we can always reach them by computer or cell? Lastly, are we better off in this state of constant, frenzied productivity? Unfortunately, I believe many of us are on overload. Just as an overloaded boat will begin to sink into the water, so will an overloaded mind and body. Marshall MacLuhan wrote, "One of the effects of living with electric information is that we live habitually in a state of information overload. There's always more than you can cope with." So, what happens to us when we hit this overload or information, work, and trying to meet the needs of those around us? The answer is exhaustion.

Our bodies are a good indication of our minds. With too much information flying around our brains, our bodies can be a reflection of the strained minds many of us feel. This can be felt by an utter sense of tiredness.We can find ourselves barely keeping our eyes open at work or school. Young people are not immune to this psychological exhuastion. They are being asked to produce more, take in more stimulation and sensory overload than in any other time in history. Young and old alike are finding suppressed immune systems (leading to poor health), physical weariness and less ability to concentrate on our many tasks at hand.

The answer to this intense level of fatigue, both physical and mental, is rest. In our 'go, go, go!' culture, this isn't a simple feat. It's challenging to disentangle ourselves from our technology. It's tough to ignore voice mail, requests for our time and email. We are completely immersed in our frantic level of busy-ness, and yet, the urge to 'just check email one more time' before resting can be powerful. As tired as we are, we find ourselves addicted to the level of energy we have expended. We know we need to rest, to take time away from our vigorous lives, and yet we find ourselves compulsively drawn back to the very source of our exhaustion.

Initially, "letting go" feels like "work". We find ourselves working very hard at relaxing. This is truly a contradiction in terms, and yet, as we fight any addiction, this process can be a 'one step forward, two steps back' scenario, in the beginning of our journey to take charge of our exhaustion. Even if it means hiding your cell phone, locking up your laptop or placing the keys to the car in the freezer, it's crucial that we take the steps necessary to give our minds, bodies and spirits the chance to recharge. Just as the batteries in those very laptops must be recharged in order to operate at full capacity, so must our minds and bodies.

For some people, taking a restorative Yoga class can be a wonderful method of 'learning to relax'. Because a class is a task that can be put on our schedules, it's a good beginning for those of us who have a challenging time creating a relaxing atmosphere at home. For the 60 minutes per class, all electronic devices must be left outside the door, and with them, the mental connections to all that is pulling us away from truly letting go of the sources of our stress. During a restorative Yoga class, many instructors, myself included, will ask our students to practice inversions, such as Legs Up the Wall pose. Supported inversions have been proven to quickly reduce stress and fatigue, can assist in combatting stress induced insomnia, and can stimulate one's immune system for better health. A wise yoga instructor of mine once told our class that we spend an average of 16 hours per day in an upright position. By practicing relaxed inversions, we reverse the blood flow in our circulatory systems and can help to extend our wellness, and our very lives, by allowing our bodies the opportunities to flip that process around....quite literally. When we are overtired, we can't sleep well, and we have a difficult time turning off our thoughts. By practicing supported inversions regularly, we may find that we are more equipped with the tools we need to restore our bodies to the balance they need.

Whatever your preferred relaxation method may be, I encourage you to find time every day to allow yourself to be restored. Just as we need to reboot a computer, we need to reboot our minds, bodies and spirits. Rest is not laziness. Rest is a critical part of our bodies' methods for healing ourselves. No matter how productive you may be, by creating true, honest and deep relaxation, we will be better equipped to handle all unexpected circumstances that life can toss us. Our critical thinking skills will improve, our attitude will be more positive and our bodies will be healthier.

So, unplug the phone, turn off your cell, hide your keys and log off from your computer. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, allow your mind to focus on absolutely nothing but your breath. Your entire self will thank you for it, as will your coworkers and your family. Being restored is far more likely to endear you to all you know than being exhausted will.