We tend to compare ourselves with our fellow human beings. As the saying goes, "The grass always looks greener next door." The prevailing context of performance, heightened by social networks, among other things, demands that we be irreproachable in every respect: personal, family, friends, professional, academic, and so on. All this in a rather anxiety-inducing world, in which we react to crisis after crisis without really getting to the root of the problems, whether social, environmental or geopolitical.
The addition of these factors has at least had the merit of highlighting the stress experienced by a large part of the population. This has been even more palpable in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, which has brought certain values back to the fore, including the quest for well-being. Many people left unbearable jobs, decided to go into business for themselves, took courses that were close to their hearts or changed their lifestyle habits. More than ever, meditation and mindfulness communication solutions are all the rage, yoga and spa retreats are on the increase, and a plethora of people are trying to adopt a healthier diet or lifestyle. To retain employees, some companies are even developing "happiness agent" titles.
Paradoxically, this race for well-being is becoming the other side of the same productivist coin proposed by the society. It's up to those who are the most relaxed, the fittest or the most balanced to become the new role models. Yet there's something deeply personal about feeling good about oneself. For some, fulfillment can be found in a two-hour kayaking session, while others prefer to read on a porch in the light rain outside.
There is no universal recipe for well-being. It does, however, seem to come down to balance. While bad stress traps us and hurts our bodies, good stress pushes us to surpass ourselves and try to deliver superior results, whether in the classroom or with our boss. Getting out of your comfort zone is often recommended by specialists. When traveling, for example, it's much more rewarding to explore the territory than to stay in the all-inclusive. Here's a possible way to maintain a state of serenity both on vacation and in everyday life: get closer to your values while regularly challenging yourself.
Happy reading!
Alexandre Roberge - [email protected]
Image: Welcome to All! ツ / Pixabay
