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Editorial: The value of taking time for you
Commentary by Emily Plihal
for South Peace News
When was the last time you did something for yourself?
The recent recession has made everyone pinch their pennies together tighter. Almost everyone I know has more than one job and each day is a day lost to the necessity of work.
According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately eight per cent of adult Canadians will experience a major depression and/or anxiety at some point in their lives. Around five per cent will in a given year.
One of the major causes of depression is being overwhelmed by stress. Stress can be accrued when individuals work too much, forgetting to take some “breather” time for themselves.
Stress is an inherent reality in an adult’s life. Let’s face it! We work, go home and cook supper for the family, clean and organize for tomorrow’s events, then squeeze in four or five hours of sleep to do it all over again.
Financial pressures increase as we age and the push to make ends meet decreases the opportunity to enjoy life.
There are a number of beautiful parks located within driving distance of our three regions. My recommendation is to take a day to enjoy what our regions have to offer.
There are museums, lakes, campgrounds and other tourism opportunities right in our own backyards. How often have you taken a drive to Smith, Girouxville, Winagami Provincial Park, or any other local community?
This summer when you are planning an excursion, consider what our region has to offer. For limited amounts of money you can take some time for your family, while enjoying local attractions.
Reducing your stress can take as little as a few hours and it will do you a world of good.
Focus on the priorities in your life and evaluate if they are actually necessities, or just added stress.
A very wise man told me once that money should not be the priority in life (even if it is a necessary evil). What good will extra money in the bank account do if you are angry, stressed out or depressed?
From evaluating my friends, family, acquaintances, and myself, I’ve discovered most people are too concerned about the bottom line.
Take some time this summer to live. As adults, we often forget how important a week off is.
If stress eventually slides you into a major depression, how will you be of any use to your employer or family?
One thing I find helps with my stress level is visiting local nursing homes and senior retirement homes. It’s always refreshing to hear stories from seniors who have been through all life’s stresses - which were often heftier than what we experience now - and managed to live a long healthy life.
Volunteering time, which seems ironic when I’m telling you to take more time for yourself, can actually be a great way to destress. It is refreshing to know you are doing something to help someone else, without requiring a paycheque at the end of the day.
This summer, take some time away for you! Enjoy all the simple pleasures of life: nature, family, friends, and laughter.
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