We live in hurried times. We value going all out all the time to achieve audacious goals.
Australians are reporting lower levels of workplace wellbeing and higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a survey by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), published in 2015.
The society's fifth successive national Stress and wellbeing survey also examined the impact of social media on Australians’ wellbeing and behaviour as well as exploring their experience of the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO).
Levels of wellbeing have fluctuated over the five years. A slight improvement was recorded in 2014 and 2015 but wellbeing still remains lower than that in 2011. Job satisfaction and work-life balance were also highest in 2011.
Interestingly, when Australians were asked in 2015 about their wellness across six key life domains (physical, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and vocational wellness), they rated themselves as faring well across these life areas.
Income boosts wellbeing
Key wellbeing findings over five years include:
• Younger people (18-25) have consistently reported lower levels of wellbeing than older Australians
• The unemployed report the lowest levels of wellbeing whereas the retirees report the highest levels of wellbeing
• Australians living with a partner reported significantly higher levels of wellbeing compared to all other groups (e.g. sole parents, living with parents, etc.)
• Those with children have higher levels of wellbeing than those without children, and
• Wellbeing levels rise with education and income.
Key findings on other measures include:
• 35% of Australians report having a significant level of distress in their lives
• 26% of Australians report above normal levels of anxiety symptoms
• 26% of Australians report having moderate to extremely severe levels of depression symptoms, and,
• In 2015, anxiety symptoms were the highest they have been in the five years of the survey.
Although this stress epidemic is not new, the question of what to do about it has become more urgent than ever. There is a surprising way out of the frenzy, that always-being-behind feeling, and the endless to-do list.
Now more than ever, people are seeking a reprieve from the constant pressure to achieve, produce, and consume.
While many turn to sporadic bouts of mindfulness and meditation, organisational change specialist Marilyn Paul offers a complementary solution that is as radical as it is ancient. In her new book ‘An Oasis in Time’, Paul focuses on the profound benefits of taking a modern-day Sabbath each week for deep rest and nourishing renewal. The energy, perspective, creativity, sense of well-being, and yes, increased productivity that ensue are lifesaving.
Drawing on Sabbath tradition, contemporary research, and interviews with scores of busy people, Paul shows that it is possible to introduce these practices regardless of your religious beliefs.
But it's not just your normal day off: The idea is that for one day, or maybe half a day or just an hour once a week, you set aside your doing-for-doing mind, your-it's-never-enough mind, and your crazy non-stop trying to-control-things mind. You enter a true oasis and most importantly, change your mind-set so you can enjoy the pleasure of regularly slowing down and savouring life every week.
From surrounding yourself with nature to practicing rituals for beginning and ending oasis time to implementing strategies for connecting with friends and family, self, and source, you will discover practical ways to step off the treadmill and into timeless refreshment on your way to a calmer, richer, more fulfilling life.
Reference: Marilyn Paul: ‘An Oasis in Time: How a Day of Rest Can Save Your Life’
