LINDA KELSEY: Does being told to keep calm stress you out?

2023-04-16

Is it just me or does being told to keep calm stress you out, asks LINDA KELSEY

It seems that being calm, cool and collected has become a duty
READ MORE: How YOU can overcome stress and anxiety in just 10 MINUTES a day

Hot on the heels of International Day of Happiness (March 20, in case you missed it) and National Day of Reflection on March 23, comes Stress Awareness month which runs, as the name suggests, for the whole of April.

I can hardly keep up. It seems that being calm, cool and collected has become a duty rather than an adjunct to a life well led.

Something not only are we encouraged to strive for, but are obliged to achieve.

I feel burdened by the knowledge that unless I find my Zen, it will somehow be my fault if I have an anxiety related heart attack.

It seems that being calm, cool and collected has become a duty rather than an adjunct to a life well led

No matter that I eat healthily and exercise, I now have to spend precious time focusing on my unhelpful breathing patterns.

And while I applaud the acknowledgement of mental health issues in that it helps remove the stigma, there’s a kind of blame culture developing for not paying as much attention to your mind as your body.

I feel burdened by the knowledge that unless I find my Zen, it will somehow be my fault if I have an anxiety related heart attack

The wellbeing industry is booming and economic gloom is a boon for those who wish to flog us stuff to boost the global $1.5 trillion wellness market

That can undermine the very things health advocates are trying to achieve. Meanwhile, self-care has become a phrase to cash in on.

The wellbeing industry is booming and economic gloom is a boon for those who wish to flog us stuff to boost the global $1.5 trillion wellness market.

From endless apps and sleep aids (I forgot to mention March was also National Bed month) and corporate workshops, my anxiety is under constant commercial assault.

No matter that I eat healthily and exercise, I now have to spend precious time focusing on my unhelpful breathing patterns

Rather than be soothed by all the help offered by these products and celebratory days and months promising to improve my karma, I’m more strung out than ever.

I can’t be the only perpetually anxious worrywart who finds that talk of being mindful and meditative sends stress levels soaring.

Please someone give me a nice stressfree, peaceful break.

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