Pressure Pushing You Down? The Problem May Be Your 2.0 Lifestyle

According to an ancient Chinese proverb “Work is the true elixir of life. The busiest man is the happiest.” But a new long-term study released in the European Heart Journal may prove just the opposite. After isolating common known heart risk factors such as smoking, the study revealed that individuals who worked three to four hours of overtime a day ran a 60% higher risk of angina, nonfatal heart attacks and death from heart-related conditions.

This comes as no surprise. People who spend more hours on the job make less time to exercise, relax and unwind and are ultimately more stressed, anxious, or depressed.

In the buzzing world of social media is it possible to shut off? We are all so busy branding ourselves and companies on sites like Facebook and Twitter that pressure to be a success at what we do is 24/7. The challenge to find balance in the virtual and real world has compounded, but here are some ways to alleviate the 2.0 pressure: 

Share Your Truths without Posting Them: Kudos to you for amassing a collection of friends and followers! But ask yourself this: when was the last time you expressed the truth about how you were really feeling? Pent-up emotions will erupt so don’t be too proud to release them with a trusted confidant or in a journal that is not a public blog. The simple act of writing things down on paper can help clarify feelings and make them less emotionally and physically toxic.

Transparency is Not Always Truth: In the world of shameless self-promotion in which we live it’s easy to get stressed when other people’s status becomes the benchmark of our own success. To avoid getting caught up in the sensational reality of it all, don’t let everything you read fool you. Remember, there are many people who embellish posts prior to publishing so it’s up to you to filter the information you read and stick to your own standards of excellence.    

Designate App-Free Zones: We all know better than to text and drive, but ever consider what texting in bed after midnight can do to your health? It's a habit that is probably not very conducive to leading a less stressful life. Let’s take a lead from Oprah: designate no-connecting zones in your home along with times throughout the day where devices are off-limits and make a pledge to yourself that you will use these carve-outs to unplug.

Instead of a Virtual Poke, Go for the Professional Touch: You might be so busy with your day job that you don’t think you have the time to get a massage, but that’s when you need it most. Indeed, recent research issued by the journal Depression and Anxiety proves that regular massages are effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels (no kidding). So treat yourself to a rub-down that’s real and not virtual every once in a while. 

Most important, leave room in your life for flirting whether you do it in the virtual world or the real one -  it’s a surefire way to help you feel good about yourself and will generate a load of positive energy.


Single Edition is the premier lifestyle destination for singles: women and men of all ages who have never been married as well as those who are divorced, solo parents or suddenly alone.

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