In today’s fast-paced world, people are constantly chasing wealth and the latest innovations, hoping they’ll bring joy or free up time. However, this pursuit often leaves us stressed and overwhelmed, especially as society celebrates extreme desires and behaviours, like the notion that "bigger is better" or "going all in" is the only way to live fully. These cultural values encourage us to focus more on external success than on inner peace, perpetuating an imbalance that can lead to a sense of emptiness and exhaustion.

It’s clear that chasing “more” or “bigger” doesn’t guarantee happiness. Often, this competitive striving increases stress and takes away from the natural enjoyment of life. When challenges arise, our instinct might be to speed up to “fix” the situation quickly, but this can overwhelm us further. There’s a saying, “Under stress, we regress,” meaning that in times of stress, we tend to fall back on familiar habits rather than trying new approaches that might actually be more effective. These habitual responses were often learned early in life, so responding with urgency can hinder our ability to manage situations calmly and effectively.

An insight from psychology, called State-Dependent Learning, suggests that we recall our best problem-solving skills when we’re in the same calm state in which we learned them. Most of our effective coping strategies were developed in relaxed settings, so if we’re constantly in a chaotic or stressed state, we may struggle to remember and use these strategies when we need them most. This can lead to friction, heightened stress, and ultimately a cycle of burnout.

People often reserve relaxation for vacations, relying on brief respites to reduce stress. However, viewing relaxation as an occasional event rather than a regular practice puts undue pressure on these moments and may leave us constantly tense. Culturally reinforced attitudes like “no pain, no gain” or “work hard, play hard” make relaxation seem like a reward rather than an essential part of life. This mindset creates tension, which negatively impacts our performance and well-being, making stress, overwhelm, and even depression more likely.

Modern culture’s emphasis on a toned and tight body often leads people to hold their muscles, particularly in the abdomen, too rigidly. While muscle tension can be beneficial during exercise, a constant state of tension disrupts natural energy flow and can make us feel fatigued and stressed. Overly tight bodies can interfere with digestion and may ironically result in weight gain due to the body’s reduced efficiency in processing nutrients. This habitual tightness impacts overall well-being and can lead to irritability, exhaustion, and even mental strain.

Despite the central role our bodies play in our health and happiness, many of us don’t know them well. Without an awareness of how to care for ourselves holistically, we’re more vulnerable to physical and mental burnout. An overemphasis on the material aspects of life, like accumulating possessions or striving for status, can be unfulfilling in the long term. The endless chase for external validation can lead to premature aging, health issues, and an overall lack of satisfaction. Life, when lived only through sensory experiences, loses depth and meaning.

As humans, we adapt to our surroundings, and over time, the overstimulation of modern life starts to feel normal. Slower, simpler lifestyles may even seem boring to us. This pattern of dramatic highs and lows strains our bodies, and we may find ourselves needing increasingly intense experiences to regain energy temporarily. Meanwhile, our systems bear the brunt, with toxins and fatigue building up from living beyond our natural limits.

Keeping up with modern demands often requires us to override our bodies’ natural needs. We rush meals, wake up early, and rely on stimulants like caffeine to push through exhaustion. This lifestyle makes us more vulnerable to burnout, depression, anxiety, and overwhelm, highlighting the urgent need for a balanced, mindful approach to well-being.