Pre – Information
While typing the post for A Light At The End Of The Tunnel I realized how easy it was to let problems overwhelm you.
I worked within the Mental Health field, for many years, and found a large percentage of the time spent was a rich, rewarding career. I met many interesting people both young, and aged, rich and poor, from many Cultural backgrounds. My friend James is one of those people.
His story of just surviving day to day brought back hardship memories of my childhood. This post is about how I feel modern living has brought about a whole new landscape for anxiety sufferers.
Shifting Perspectives on Hardship
In the past, it was commonly believed that most disasters or difficulties were simply part of the natural order. People faced challenges and hardships as they moved through life, but they were often seen as inherent aspects of life that we as individuals were programmed to cope with.
However, throughout the last six generations, progress and advancements have dramatically changed our circumstances, pushing against the boundaries we were originally equipped to handle.
From Horsepower to Supersonic Speeds: How Travel Transformation Changed the World
The world has changed dramatically thanks to incredible advancements in transportation. What was once limited to the speed of a horse now sees us traveling at twice the speed of sound! Supersonic airplanes and other high-speed transportation methods have shrunk our planet, making it more accessible than ever before. This rapid evolution in mobility has revolutionized how we connect, explore, and experience the world.
The Noise Pollution Problem: How Modern Life Impacts Our Environment and Well-being
Moreover, the environment in which we live has undergone significant changes. Previously, one could find peace in the tranquility of forests and grasslands. However, the modern world is characterized by constant noise, with urban areas filled with the cacophony of traffic, construction, crowded, and various technological devices. The constant barrage of noise has become an inescapable part of our everyday lives, affecting our well-being and altering our perception of the world.
Population On The Increase
The world’s population has more than tripled since 1950, when it was estimated to be 2.5 billion people. Today 2024 it is estimated to be 82. billion people
Here in the UK since the 1950’s when the number of people on our tiny island stood at 50,055,065. The UK populous in 2024 stands at a humongous 67,961,439 an increase of 0.33% and on the increase.
The Impact of Media on Grief and Loss in the Digital Age
The way we grieve has fundamentally changed. While loss has always been a deeply personal experience, the rise of media – from radio to television, satellite links, and the World Wide Web – has dramatically altered our relationship with death and tragedy. We are now constantly exposed to global events of violence and loss, delivered directly into our homes with immediacy and pervasiveness never before imagined.
This constant bombardment of distressing information can amplify feelings of grief, distress, and overwhelm. While staying informed is important, it’s crucial to find healthy ways to manage the emotional impact of these media portrayals.
Understanding Your Body’s Natural Anxiety Response
Nevertheless, amidst these challenges anxiety and tension are normal, natural responses to danger or stress – think of it as your body’s built-in alarm system. When faced with a threat, our bodies release hormones that prepare us to fight or flee. This response is essential for survival!
However, in today’s fast-paced world, stress can become chronic, making it hard to switch off this “fight or flight” mode even when there’s no immediate danger. This constant state of heightened arousal trying to navigate modern day living can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety that impact our daily lives.
In Post Image by Grae Dickason from Pixabay
Featured Image Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
Note:
People do not choose to suffer from high levels of anxiety and tension. It is a condition of the body being overwhelmed, and needs treatment. However, sadly for some individuals treatment may need to be life long (Shahd 2024).