Why Be Zen? Stress, Anxiety, And Daily Living

Stress and anxiety are necessary components to living. From an evolutionary perspective these psychophysiological mechanisms were designed to motivate behavior that promotes survival and reproduction. Stress and anxiety help promote better living by alarming us that something in our life is insufficient or out of balance – thus encouraging us to focus our attention and make the appropriate adjustments.


But of course in our busy world there are plenty of meaningless things to feel stressed out about. We have more distractions now than our evolutionary ancestors ever had to deal with, and life sometimes feels like it is endlessly pushing and tugging you in one direction after another, whether it involves relationships, work, health, financial difficulties or just general life satisfaction and happiness.


Sometimes even when there is nothing to be stressed about we still respond to our environment in unhealthy ways. We could be sitting on the bus back home from work or driving to the local Best Buy store on Sunday and still feel anxious as if we forgot to do something, or, that we should be doing something more important.


Stress and anxiety should not be taken lightly. Yes each serves a purpose, but all too often we are incapable of taking the time to just sit down and be content with what is. This growing attitude that we must always be “productive”, or we are being “wasteful,” is a false distinction – sometimes taking the time to sit and be utterly content with life is the most productive thing we can do.