Don’t just escape . . . elevate!

o.k., we all know that when things get stressful, most of us find comfort in even just entertaining thoughts of escape.  (That’s why so many people start out on Monday morning thinking about Friday night).

But have you ever thought about the actual outcomes of escape?  Have you ever stopped to think about whether there are any true benefits from typical escapes like:

• Mindless television
• Internet surfing
• Eating junkfood
• Shopping
• Drinking
• Venting with friends
• Etc.

Sure, each of these activities allows you to “opt out” of your regular life for a while.  But that’s about the only benefit — if you could call it that.   And most escapes come with some unwanted consequences (for instance, the hangover, the debt, the punishment to your body, the guilt, the negativity, etc.).

These escapes don’t add to the quality of your life, they actually detract from it!

People will say, “I deserve it.  I deserve a break.  I deserve a treat”.

I believe we all deserve MUCH MORE. 

We can do so much more than “zone out”.  We can do so much more than escape.

We can relieve our stress in ways that don’t come with a backlash. 

We can choose consciously and opt for activities that don’t merely help us escape our lives but actually help us elevate our lives.

Here are some ideas:

• A walk outside.
• Reading , watching or listening to something of value and expansiveness.
• Meditation (don’t overthink this . . . just sit in silence for a few minutes)
• Any form of enjoyable exercise.
• Positive, meaningful conversation and connection with friends and family.
• Music (get involved and play around or just listen)
• Anything creative – minus the expectations and judgment (drawing, painting, writing, scrapbooking, jewelry making, cooking, woodworking, etc.)
• Cultural activities (museums, plays, performances, etc.)

Does it take a little more effort and energy to opt for these activities?  Absolutely.

Is it worth it?  Unquestionably.

Not convinced?

Think about the difference between escaping and elevating.  When you escape, you’re declaring that you have a life that you need to escape from.  Not exactly great for fostering a desire to return to your everyday life.  Not exactly great for fostering a life that you’d want to return to!

When you elevate though, you’re saying, “I’ve got a good life and it’s getting better and better.”

Not only do you get refreshed, but you come back feeling better about yourself and your life.  You come back to a life that is growing richer every day with every choice you make!