Life Balance LLP

12/09/2025

Letting Go: The Power of the Sedona Method

How often have you been told to 'just let it go' whether it’s a broken relationship, a failed business decision, an argument that lingers, or an old emotional hurt?

These experiences may be in the past, but the moment we think of them, the original feelings resurface. For the brain, there’s little difference between past and present, imagination and reality. The result? We feel stuck, resentful, or helpless.

Why Letting Go Feels So Hard
Acceptance is the first - and often hardest - step. We tend to fight against unwanted emotions, but the paradox is this: only by acknowledging a feeling can we release it. Like a pen in our hand, we must recognize we’re holding it before we can choose to drop it.

What Is the Sedona Method?
Developed by Lester Levenson, the Sedona Method is a self-help tool designed to let go of negative emotions in the moment. The principle is simple: once we accept what we feel, we can consciously release what no longer serves us - gaining inner peace, clarity, and effectiveness.

Today, many coaches integrate it into their sessions, guiding clients toward both personal growth and professional development.

A Practical Example
Imagine you’re overwhelmed by a looming project deadline. Pause, notice the sensation, and ask yourself:

· Could I accept this feeling? (Yes or no - it doesn’t matter.)
· Could I let it go?
· Would I let it go?
· When?

If you’re ready, simply let it go. If not, repeat the cycle. Each round, even with resistance, engages the brain’s natural plasticity - the ability of neural connections to rewire themselves. Over time, this strengthens resilience and emotional regulation.

Practices like the Sedona Method may influence areas such as the amygdala and hippocampus, which govern emotion and memory. With consistent use, we create new neural pathways that support healthier, more adaptive responses to stress.

In a world where stress and emotional baggage can quietly sabotage performance and well-being, the Sedona Method offers a powerful yet simple way to lighten the load.

Have you ever practiced the Sedona Method - or another technique for letting go? I’d love to hear your experience.

Using four simple questions aiming to let go of the victim mentality it is based on the concept that we are all unlimited beings, restricted only by the

01/09/2025

The Stages of (Not Only) a Woman’s Life –
Facts Unchanged, Attitudes Transformed

For thousands of years, women have made their way through various stages of life that, in their fundamental essence, have remained unchanged. From infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, to menopause, these stages carry profound physical and psychological significance.

Societal expectations, medical advancements, and economic pressures have influenced women’s choices, especially regarding motherhood. While today's perception ns suggest that anything is possible, this perceived freedom often comes with heightened responsibility and the need for justification.

Once, miscarriage was a silent sorrow, yet today, more women speak openly about their experiences, breaking the silence surrounding loss. Menopause, once viewed as decline, is increasingly honored as a time of wisdom and renewal. Even infertility—long shrouded in stigma—is now recognized as a shared human experience rather than a personal failing.

This shift in attitude creates a space for compassion, dialogue, and support, helping women feel less alone in facing often distressing experiences.

While medical interventions tend to address the physical aspects, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views these life stages as natural transitions in the flow of Yin and Yang. Instead of labeling them as problems, TCM aims to restore energetic balance, paying attention to emotional challenges such as anxiety and depression, at the same time, easing menstrual issues, supporting fertility, nurturing pregnancy, and facilitating a gentle transition into menopause.

Counseling is vital in helping women process the emotional roller coaster accompanying these passages. Whether dealing with grief after miscarriage, anxiety during pregnancy, or identity shifts in menopause, having a safe space to be heard and understood can make a significant difference.

During decades of combining the fundamentals of TCM with compassionate counseling, I learned that integrating natural wisdom with conventional medicine brings body, mind and spirit into alignment. Subsequently, experiencing these stages can evolve with greater awareness and acceptance.

What has been your experience with any of these stages? Did you feel supported and validated?
Ina
https://www.lifebalance.com.sg
http://www.bouncebackwithina.com

29/08/2025

Is Your Life in Balance?
Have you ever felt that life keeps pulling you in different directions?
One day your family needs all your energy, another day your career takes over, and yet another is swallowed up by finances. Without conscious awareness, balance seems to slip away, leaving you dissatisfied and confused.
Here’s a powerful exercise to bring clarity:
The ‘Wheel of Life’ is a simple yet effective tool which works on many levels. By visually highlighting your status quo, where you are now, it clarifies which area in your life needs attention to achieve a more balanced life. Are you consciously aware of your aim in life? This exercise helps you focus on areas of primary concern to create meaningful goals for improvement.
Most people divide life into 8–10 categories, such as:
Career/Work
Money/Finances
Relationships/Romance
Health/Fitness
Fun/Recreation
Personal Growth/Learning
Family/Friends
Community/Contribution
Environment
Spirituality
Choose the 8 areas that matter most to you.
• Rate your current satisfaction in each area (1 = not at all satisfied, 10 = fully satisfied). Score each category by drawing a line or adding a number.
• Secondly, rate where you would like to be in the future. How satisfied you aim to be in the different areas? Connect the scores to form your ‘wheel.’
• You’ll now clearly see your growth gaps—and that awareness is the first step toward balance. Develop an action plan for each area; write down a few things without worrying of getting it perfect.
You are unsure about what action to take? Here is an example: Ask yourself, ‘what is one big thing that I know I need to do in this area of my life to make progress, but I am scared or hesitant to do it?’
Start by being honest with yourself. Even small steps toward balance can transform tremendously the way you live.
Still not sure? Let me help you get started, www.bouncebackwithina.com

25/08/2025

Dreading Monday Morning – or Using It as a Reset Button?

Mondays often set the tone for the week ahead. After a weekend of family, friends, or simply recharging on your own, the return of outside demands can feel heavy - making procrastination all too tempting.

But what if Monday became your reset button - a chance to refocus, refresh your energy, and start with clarity?

Here are three simple steps, rooted in mindfulness and stress-reduction traditions from both modern psychology and Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• Pause for three deep breaths before opening your laptop.

• Write down your top three priorities. Not ten. Not twenty. Just three.

• Check in with your body. Notice tension in your shoulders, jaw, or stomach - and release it as you exhale.

Still struggling to get into gear? Try these evidence-based techniques:

1) Break Tasks into Small Steps
Big projects often feel overwhelming. Divide them into smaller, doable actions. Focus on three to start, then build momentum.

2) Work in Focused Bursts (Pomodoro Technique)
Created by Francesco Cirillo, this method uses 25-minute work intervals followed by 5-minute breaks. After four rounds, take a longer pause to recharge.

3) Set SMART Goals
Keep them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Aligning daily tasks with bigger objectives gives focus and motivation.

4) Practice Self-Compassion
Not every Monday will be perfect - and that’s okay. Progress matters more than perfection.

5) Visualize the Outcome and the reward
Picture the relief and satisfaction of completing a task. Shifting your focus from effort to reward can spark momentum.

How do you usually set the tone for your week?

19/08/2025

Does your perfectionism set you up for failure?

Our earliest experiences don’t just become memories — they shape the lens through which we see the world. The way a parent responds to our needs, how teachers treat us, and even small moments of encouragement or criticism create early “blueprints” for how we relate to ourselves and others.

Perfectionism often grows out of a deep desire to feel safe and accepted. This conditioning follows us into adulthood, showing up in our work lives in ways that can feel confusing and self-limiting.

Why does this happen?

Before the age of 3, the brain is only about 25% developed. At this stage, we can’t interpret the context of what we experience – we don’t see that a single mother is overwhelmed with responsibilities or that parents are exhausted and arguing. We only feel that we must keep the peace, be perfect, and not add to their burden.

This pattern is especially common among high achievers or those who internalized the message that ‘good enough’ is never enough.
For the anxious child, perfectionism becomes a way to manage self-doubt and fear of failure, often compensated by a desire to gain control. This craving for authority to avoid criticism or failure contributes to an increased feeling of pressure and a relentless pursuit of perfection, which creates a vicious cycle in which anxiety and perfectionism continue to feed each other.

So, are we victims of our inner child?

No. Ask yourself: ‘I have to be perfect, or…?’

Through self-reflection, we can befriend our inner child and reclaim responsibility for our true worth. Recognizing our triggers, we free ourselves from limitations that never truly belonged to us – and step forward with greater confidence.

Which message has been creating your need for perfectionism? How does it show up in your work life?

16/08/2025

Do You Know Your Adaptation Type?

If you don’t know your Adaptation Type, navigating life’s demands gets harder - choosing a career path, finding a compatible partner, or uncovering a sense of purpose can feel like guesswork.

Without that inner compass, we often manage life by trial and error - groping in the dark on crucial decisions. Maybe you follow a family pattern (‘all the boys go corporate’) or you’re so strong at school that law or medicine seems inevitable. Or you pick something ‘decent enough,’ try social work for a while, or travel the world before settling down.

Your Adaptation Type reflects your essence - how you handle change and challenge, your natural gifts, how you relate to others, and the environments where you shine.

Discovery starts with honest self-reflection:
Which traits feel most like you?
Stable & patient • Analytical & logical • Ambitious & driven • Curious & passionate • Intuitive & flexible

There’s no checkbox table. Instead, it’s a guided inquiry - looking at pivotal life events, the choices you made, what energized or drained you - and then shaping the path that fits best, whether for personal growth, career direction, or relationships.

Question for you: Which two traits from the list feel most true right now - and where in your life do they show up?

For an in-depth discovery visit my website https://bouncebackwithina.com

Stay Safe!
Ina

11/08/2025

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 18)
(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

Do You Live in Synchronicity?

People often say, “There are no coincidences — everything happens for a reason.”

But is this truth, or just a lofty attitude?

The Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist C.G. Jung defined synchronicity as an “acausal connecting principle”—where inner, psychological events are linked to outer events by meaningful coincidences, rather than cause-and-effect. It’s like catching a glimpse of hidden patterns connecting everything. These moments act as clues, inviting us to look beyond the obvious.

Imagine this: You’re thinking about a particular person — and suddenly, she calls.

Or you’re wrestling with a complex problem when a book falls from the shelf… addressing exactly that issue.

Is this proof of ‘what you seek is seeking you’?

Or is it selective perception — our tendency to notice things that match our expectations Does seeing lead to believing… or does believing enhance perception, leading to seeing?

The ‘Self-Fulfilling Prophecy’ Factor

When it comes to negative expectations — ‘I know I won’t manage’ or I ‘knew we wouldn’t get the house’ — people often call it ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’: what we focus on, we help bring about.

So why is it so much harder to focus on a positive outcome?

The answer may lie in our subconscious mind. Past disappointments, limiting beliefs, old judgments — all bubble up when triggered, quietly convincing us we’re ‘not good enough’ or ‘don’t deserve it.’

How the Mind Plays Along

Our subconscious doesn’t distinguish between past and present, imagination and reality. Like a computer, it simply delivers whatever has been ‘programmed’ into it.

Consider watching a scary movie: you’re safe in a comfy chair, popcorn in hand, yet your palms sweat and your heart races. You’re living the fear on screen.

The Link to Synchronicity

To truly experience synchronicity, we need trust — trust in the bigger picture that, in the end, things will work out.

Trust grows when we are open, spontaneous, and in flow. This means being present, tuned outward with our senses, instead of lost in past-focused, negative thought loops.

Experiencing Synchronicity

Be attentive to situations, symbols, people, or signs.

Accept the unexpected — even if it’s not logical.

Suspend judgment — rational thinking is powerful, but it’s also limited. The saying ‘Hold the Vision – Trust the Process’ sums it up. Often, we realize in hindsight that we ‘found’ exactly what we were looking for, without consciously searching.

How to Train Your Awareness

Reflect on past experiences — Were key decisions sparked by coincidences?

Notice emotional pulls — A sudden call from a friend when you feel lonely, or the lyrics of a song that seem to answer your question.

Suspend disbelief — Don’t rush to explain everything logically.

Stay balanced — Not every number on your watch is a ‘sign.’

Is It Real—or Just in the Mind?

Jung’s view: Synchronicity is real; events are linked by meaning, not cause.

Scientific view: Coincidences are products of our pattern-seeking minds.

Pragmatic view: Noticing meaningful coincidences can spark insight and resilience.

Ultimately, whether synchronicity is a cosmic design or a mind-made pattern, its value lies in how it guides and inspires us.

So, be open. Trust that some things happen for a reason. Release doubt and judgment.

After all, we’re all energetically connected: to each other, to nature, and to the universe.

And sometimes… that connection speaks.

Stay safe!

Ina

www.bouncebackwithina.com
www.lifebalance.com.sg

23/07/2025

Change is inevitable—but growth is a choice.

With over 30 years of experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a deep study of Chinese philosophy, I’ve long been captivated by the power of mind–body connection. What shapes our well‑being—our upbringing, personality, neurological wiring? How do we perform under pressure, and what helps us heal and growth.

After completing two immersive years of study in psychology and neurology, I founded www.bouncebackwithina.com to guide individuals facing personal and career transitions. Maybe you feel stuck, uncertain about the next step, or want deeper insight into your personality and the beliefs holding you back. Even one session can help reframe a troubling thought or illuminate a limiting pattern.

If you're seeking a safe, supportive space to reflect and grow—especially around relationships, family, or career decisions—I'd love to support you. Learn more or book a session at www.bouncebackwithina.com

Meanwhile, my TCM practice continues at www.lifebalance.com.sg , where I offer holistic care across life’s key stages — fertility, pregnancy, birth, menopause — and teach baby massage.

03/03/2025

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 17)
(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

In a world so full of discord, it might be worthwhile investigating the deeper meaning, even the cause of it. Naturally, billions of humans cannot be of the same opinion – in fact, it seems that not even two people can often agree on something; isn’t that the beauty of the tremendous diversity of humankind?
Different cultures, circumstances, religions, beliefs, upbringing, experiences, just to name a few. Combine this with the vast differences between moral values, economic backgrounds, and family structures…. all resulting in the colorful patchwork carpet known as the world population.

Unfortunately, most arguments circle around the notion of one party being right, automatically rendering the other party wrong – which always carries the potential of developing into a heated quarrel. However, there is seldom a clear, neutral right or wrong as the conviction of being right or wrong is shaped by nothing else than our perception of a situation.

So, what creates our perception?

The word perception is derived from the Latin word ‘perceptio’ which can be loosely translated with ‘gathering and receiving’. Receiving signals going through our nervous system, perception relies on our cognitive functions to process information. Combining these with earlier experiences, or specific memories enables us to respond to environmental stimuli.

Naturally, a different perception will result in a completely different response to a situation. Although we can mentally accept the fact that incompatible points of view create a different attitude to the ‘object of dispute’, deep down we often feel that our way is the right one. Subsequently, we get more and more into tunnel vision, insisting, trying to ‘prove’ our point – instead of stepping away from the fallacy that there can only be one truth.

While both ‘arguing’ and ‘quarreling’ involve disagreement, arguing’ suggests a more reasoned discussion where people present their viewpoints intending to reach a conclusion. ‘Quarreling’ often implies an emotionally charged, even angry exchange, aimed at winning the argument rather than finding common ground.

This is where mediators will come in, a neutral person, impartial to the result of the dispute, attempting to investigate the deeper issue, and trying to find a compromise.

Questions like ‘What is this argument about? How does it make the other party feel? What is each one’s understanding of the issue? What is their aim in this dispute? Will guide the opponents away from their ego-focused perception towards a wider view of the issue?'

Whatever we call it, at the core of a quarrel lies the feeling of being misunderstood, not being appreciated, not being validated, which often originates from childhood. Not being validated is one of the most damaging experiences. Validation of the other party’s viewpoint does not mean agreeing or condoning; it only signals ‘I can understand your point, even though I don’t agree.’

The renowned author Dain Heer coined the wise sentence, ‘Interesting point of view – I have a different point of view’. Note – it does not say ’…..but I have a different point of view’ which would indicate separation, even judgment. Instead, it expresses the existence of two different viewpoints, both valuable and possibly correct.

Nowhere can this discrepancy be seen more clearly than in politics, where the insistence of being right is paired with the greed for power. Just like in a family dispute, business argument or a divorce procedure, a mediator could assist in reaching a compromise.

However, this is rarely seen as the thirst for control and supremacy seems to be insatiable, a compromise is usually not desired as it is considered a sign of weakness.

What lies below the reckless avarice of people, politicians, even states? We all know that there is one Earth only. We all know that Earth has enough resources to feed us all – if evenly distributed. Every day, we witness nature growing, flourishing, dying, renewing itself in an endless cycle – irrespective of wars, arguments, and catastrophes.

Shouldn’t that relentless and seemingly effortless desire for unperturbed renewal give us confidence, assurance and trust in a ‘higher order’?

What is at the bottom of it all, the arguments, the need to be right, the thirst for power? Is it fear? The fear of being separated from Source, the fear of being ‘abandoned’? This question can only be answered individually – however, studies throughout ages, genders, and ethnicities have shown that fear – the opposite of love – seems to be the primal emotion that unites us all.

As always, to change the outward circumstances we must look at our inward perception and our way of action. There are numerous articles and tips on the ‘right way’ to argue to prevent quarreling.

So, going back to basics, we could just stop for a moment and ponder our first spontaneous thought before responding. What is my view of the situation? Did it really happen that way – or is it possible to discover another angle?

By listening carefully to the objective content of the issue, and questioning our perception, we could nip any escalation in the bud. Validating first the other person’s view in a non-judgmental view might open the door to more understanding and the revelation that rarely one person is right, creating a new platform for a compromise.

To learn about a drastically different form of ‘arguing’ a Tibetan monastic debate is fascinating to watch and extremely enlightening. These debates – while serious in their deeper meaning – can almost appear entertaining. In fact, they form a social activity to help monks develop their intellect and spiritual path.

With dramatic clapping and stomping feet, the debates could be viewed as emotionally charged. But, on the contrary, every gesture holds a different spiritual meaning, accentuating the question, with the purpose of stimulating the other party's thinking.

Subsequently, critical thinking is developed to defeat misconceptions and assist emotional regulation.

Perhaps, in our everyday world, we can train ourselves in the same way – develop a less ego-focused view of things, take a deep breath before responding, and go into validation. That way, we will create a more peaceful discussion and a more satisfying outcome for everybody.

Stay safe!

Ina

https://www.lifebalance.com.sg

Copyright © 2025 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved.

31/12/2024

To all my friends and clients - thank you so much for the many birthday greetings which really made my day!
At the same time I would like to thank everybody for their support during the past year - highly appreciated.
Have a Happy, Healthy and hopefully more peaceful New Year -
with lots of love...Ina

Send a message to learn more

30/12/2024

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 16)

(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

Do you feel grateful or appreciative?

What better time to ponder the difference between gratitude and appreciation than at the end of another tumultuous year.
So often, we hear the advice ‘you should be grateful for what you were given, for the new job, your kids, for being alive, for peace’…the list can be endless. And we usually respond with ‘yes, I am’ – often followed by the word ‘but’ expressing some other, additional expectation. Amidst all the complaining about how he or she or it could be or could have been, we do feel a faint sense of thankfulness, knowing that, comparatively, life has treated us well.

We watch the news while sipping a glass of wine, becoming a bit ashamed of our ungratefulness, insensitivity, lack of appreciation. Still, there always seems to be some nagging desire for something else, something more – more spectacular, we don’t even know what; we just feel this lingering dissatisfaction, often created and enhanced by comparing ourselves with others.

This feeling can become strong as we constantly focus on what we don’t have, becoming blind to the riches in our life, blocking any feeling of gratitude. Tools like writing a ‘gratitude journal’ or doing a ‘gratitude walk’ help us to become aware of what we have been given – often without any action from our side - raising our inner vibration towards a feeling of thankfulness – or is it appreciation?
So, is there any difference between the two? Does one include or even necessitate the other?

Gratitude is inherently self-oriented. It revolves around what an individual has received or gained, a gift, a meal, an unexpected bunch of flowers, or a call from a friend. Furthermore, gratitude tends to be a more spontaneous reaction to a usually short-term positive experience. In almost any culture, children are taught to say, ‘thank you’, once they receive a gift or are just given a drink. Do they really feel gratitude? Or is it just lip service, a trained response, a spontaneous reaction to a momentarily positive experience or circumstance? What does a person feel inside when expressing thankfulness?

Appreciation seems to be more related to an inner attitude, lingering in our mind, showing in our behavior. Different to a mere verbal expression of thanks, it stems from the recognition of a valuable act of somebody, or a favorable situation we are allowed to experience. Without even the necessity of repeatedly saying thank you, appreciation is an expression of inner recognition directed towards others. It involves valuing their qualities, actions, or contributions of someone else, being deeply connected to respect.

While it requires communication, whether verbal or through actions, to convey the recognition of someone else's value, appreciation is a bridge between individuals, fostering positive connections and creating a supportive environment. It is not a one-time expression; instead, it can last life long - depending on the source, not needing words but is rather shown in the demeanor of those who feel appreciation.

Does one necessitate the other?

Not at all. Throughout our lives, we are, at times, exposed to challenges, sickness or relationship issues; we have to experience what are aptly called ‘lessons’ – be it personal, health wise or in our jobs.

Are we grateful for those? Hardly.

But if those lessons changed us for the better, gave us the opportunity to learn, to accomplish a different attitude, to turn us into a stronger and wiser personality, maybe to widen our perspective of the outer and inner world – then, we can even develop a spark of gratitude; not for the often painful experience but for the appreciation we feel deep inside for what we were allowed to learn.

Life is never static but constantly moving and changing – what was ‘true’ yesterday is no longer realistic; what is considered normal today would have been appalling yesterday. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the upbringing of children, within economic developments, within fashion and within the different attitudes in our mind.

As exhausting as it often is, we have to ‘go with the flow.’ While holding on to basic principles like respect, consideration and tolerance we have no choice but to constantly adjust the outer expression of those aspects – not necessarily with gratitude but with acceptance to be participating in the human evolution.
If we refuse to move forward, to acknowledge the changes, we might easily become bitter and resentful, alienating us from both – appreciation as well as gratitude.

But if we choose to accept the unacceptable, stepping back from our own conviction, we might be rewarded with a new sense of appreciation paving the way to a higher consciousness.

Stay safe!
Ina
https://www.lifebalance.com.sg

Copyright © 2024 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved

24/11/2024

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 15)

(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

How is your immune system?

No, not that one.

Not our physical resilience, the ability to fight a virus, bacteria or, to bounce back quickly after a cold or stomach flu.

How do you deal psychologically with the news, the constant stream of information coming through your electronic devices, the multiple chat groups discussing global events, tragedies, and disasters.

How do you process this flood of information without drowning in it?

To understand the importance of our Mental Immune System, let’s look at the Physical one first. An intricate system, a network of organs, muscles, cells and proteins, it is protecting the body’s cells, while simultaneously defending it against infections.

Keeping our Physical Immune System strong is not complicated; however, it includes all the facets of modern life – no alcohol, no smoking, sufficient sleep, exercise, no processed food (chips, cookies, deli meats) and as little stress as possible! It does not require anything special, not even particular supplements, it does not cost money, but it requires mindfulness and discipline.

However, especially since Corona, taking care of the physical aspects of a healthy immune system has not been enough. A growing number of health issues appeared that had not been created by unhealthy habits alone, but by the increasing influence of outside (mis)information, causing irrational fears and a loss of confidence.

Coupled with the feeling of separation caused by forced physical distancing created a feeling of a strange loneliness.

The general feeling of losing control, not being in charge anymore, the unpredictability of life, coupled with the growing effects of climate change - causing even more uncertainty - have propelled us into a vortex of insecurity.

In our fast-moving world, mainly characterized by digital communication, less human connection is occurring, creating a psychological imbalance no one has experienced before.

Already at the end of the last century, the term ‘Psychological Immunity’ was discovered, a unified system of cognitive, motivational and behavioral patterns that helps the individual to recover from stress and cope with problems in a healthy manner.

Just like our biological immunity defends our body from pathogens and viruses, the Mental Immune System is protecting the mind from mental pathogens.

The present times might not be particularly worse than the times of our forefathers, but the complexity of the challenges have changed drastically, overwhelming our mind and our psyche - both have not yet kept up with today’s speed and demands.

While in previous centuries, people had to endure wars, injustice, persecution, famine, economic meltdowns, they had hope and confidence in the future. Hardship seemed to be linear, maybe even predictable. They had trust that progress was in their hands and eventually their life would get better – and it did!

Today’s demands are multifaceted, like a hologram, mostly unpredictable, affecting us on all levels.

Two aspects seem to stand out: the relentless bombardment of information and the extreme focus on self-optimization, a result of the separation from others.

While digital technology is fantastic and very useful in learning, teaching, keeping in contact, staying in touch over thousands of miles, there is – as always – another side.

As our brain is constantly injected by negative news, hate messages, fake information, these will be transformed into pictures and stored, just like millions of years ago.

But today, it is not one or two big news about a wild animal or an impending natural disaster; today, there are snippets constantly creeping into our mind, poisoning our thoughts.

Then, we like, share, twitter and send links infecting others until everything goes viral – an analogy to our Physical Immune System.

Maybe, we can counteract this influence by using similar methods as during a pandemic, wearing a mask of scepsis, keeping a distance from the chain of often fake information, stepping back and reflect.

It is crucial to develop a critical mind, analyzing assumptions and maybe, recognizing our own mental habits, our prejudice. By developing self-awareness, we can accept that we might be not always right, that there might be different views.

And, as of the constant urge to become better, slimmer, more successful, more beautiful – we ultimately relinquish our personal power to Instagram and Facebook, thriving on becoming like everybody else, losing our personality, our human essence.

Especially young people feel the need to capitalize on their appearance, often suffering from social pressure and eventually depression.

How can we deal with the flood of digital information while still staying informed?

Perhaps we can dose the quantity and the quality of the information, e.g. listen/watch the news always at the same time once a day instead of repeatedly checking our phone.

We could keep one corner or room in our place digital free – no TV, no newspaper, no hp, no PC – a safe haven to read, listen to music, have a conversation...or just do nothing, enjoying the peace.

The most common cause of poor sleep and ultimately sleep deprivation is the tendency to ruminate, to worry which is often compared to sitting in a rocking chair – moving but not moving forward. It has been found that our last activity before going to bed has the greatest influence on our sleep quality.

Watching the news might not put one into a positive mood. Playing a game, planning the next holiday or chatting with a friend puts the brain into a more positive mood.

We have become a more thinking society and – thanks to AI - less a doing one. Our brain is constantly active absorbing thoughts, ‘connecting the dots’ and creating stories.

But thoughts are not facts! Our ability to let them pass without interpreting them as signs of something wrong protects us from mental disorders. The less attention we give to a "weird" or negative thought, the faster it disappears – ‘mental flossing’ it is called.

Engaging in physical activities like doing puzzles, building with Lego, doing handicraft, using our hands helps to balance our mind. We feel pure joy in creating something without a particular purpose, our mind focusing on the present only. We just have to observe children, being totally absorbed in the moment.

And finally, various studies have shown that taking a walk in a forest does wonders for our mind. Whether it is breathing the fresh air or the recognition of our insignificance in the bigger scope of things...whether it is the awareness of the continuous growing and withering or the eventual feeling of gratitude towards something higher.

In the end, it might just bring back some hope to catch a glimmer again of more ‘lightness of being’, which we are all missing.

Ina
Stay safe!
https://www.lifebalance.com.sg
Copyright © 2024 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved.