Mindfulness and Relief: A Prescription for Awareness
by Maya Frost
Years before prescription drug advertisements took over those commercial breaks on television ("Ask your doctor if ____ is right for you"), there was a wildly popular and memorable ad jingle for Alka Seltzer, an over-the-counter heartburn remedy:
"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh, what a relief it is..."
These days, the word "relief" is far more prevalent, and applied much more liberally in advertisements. You can read or hear the word "relief" used in reference to all kinds of symptoms, including anxiety, headaches, joint pain, psoriasis, PMS, and much more.
But it's not just the ads that are using this word. "Relief" has become a word that implies an enormous amount of work, money, energy, emotion and need in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Whenever there is a natural or man-made disaster, we are inundated by news stories about relief efforts and calls for relief funds.
The dictionary defines "relief" as a reduction of suffering that occurs in response to any information, action or aid.
Information--we feel relieved upon learning that our loved ones are safe after an earthquake or hurricane.
Action--we are relieved when the tow truck shows up to help us when our car dies on a deserted road.
Aid--we are relieved when we receive an unexpected bonus or refund that will help us pay rent this month.
In the news these days, you can read or hear the word "relief" used to refer to information (where to find loved ones, how to get help), action (rescuing people and pets from their homes, setting up centers for support) and aid (providing food, water, shelter, money and counseling) to those who have been affected by the disaster.
The continuous references to relief indicate both a great deal of suffering and a seemingly unending need for assistance. Also: gigantic ad budgets for pharmaceutical companies, and ubiquitous news and social media to inform us of tragic events around the world.
But instead of allowing the word "relief" to trigger our thoughts of suffering and tragedy, focus on the word "relief' as a cue to connect with those right in front of us.
Pay attention to the word "relief" whenever you hear it directly from someone (not in the news or an ad) or when you use it yourself. Listen for it.
A friend feels relief after getting good news after a biopsy. Your son is relieved after getting a good grade on a report card. Your partner feels relief after hearing your offer to take on a project that stresses him.
Focus on what someone is really telling you when they say they are relieved--that their suffering has been reduced. Offer love and celebration. Look for ways to use the word "relief" in conversations that allow you to connect more deeply with your loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors.
By using the word "relief" as a trigger for mindfulness, we can tap into our understanding of the many ways we can, through small gestures, make life more comfortable, safe, and satisfying for ourselves and those around us.
That's a prescription for awareness.
© 2006-2020 Maya Frost
Please include the following when sharing:
Maya Frost is an author, mindfulness trainer, and creative change strategist.
Learn more at MayaFrost.com
"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh, what a relief it is..."
These days, the word "relief" is far more prevalent, and applied much more liberally in advertisements. You can read or hear the word "relief" used in reference to all kinds of symptoms, including anxiety, headaches, joint pain, psoriasis, PMS, and much more.
But it's not just the ads that are using this word. "Relief" has become a word that implies an enormous amount of work, money, energy, emotion and need in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Whenever there is a natural or man-made disaster, we are inundated by news stories about relief efforts and calls for relief funds.
The dictionary defines "relief" as a reduction of suffering that occurs in response to any information, action or aid.
Information--we feel relieved upon learning that our loved ones are safe after an earthquake or hurricane.
Action--we are relieved when the tow truck shows up to help us when our car dies on a deserted road.
Aid--we are relieved when we receive an unexpected bonus or refund that will help us pay rent this month.
In the news these days, you can read or hear the word "relief" used to refer to information (where to find loved ones, how to get help), action (rescuing people and pets from their homes, setting up centers for support) and aid (providing food, water, shelter, money and counseling) to those who have been affected by the disaster.
The continuous references to relief indicate both a great deal of suffering and a seemingly unending need for assistance. Also: gigantic ad budgets for pharmaceutical companies, and ubiquitous news and social media to inform us of tragic events around the world.
But instead of allowing the word "relief" to trigger our thoughts of suffering and tragedy, focus on the word "relief' as a cue to connect with those right in front of us.
Pay attention to the word "relief" whenever you hear it directly from someone (not in the news or an ad) or when you use it yourself. Listen for it.
A friend feels relief after getting good news after a biopsy. Your son is relieved after getting a good grade on a report card. Your partner feels relief after hearing your offer to take on a project that stresses him.
Focus on what someone is really telling you when they say they are relieved--that their suffering has been reduced. Offer love and celebration. Look for ways to use the word "relief" in conversations that allow you to connect more deeply with your loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors.
By using the word "relief" as a trigger for mindfulness, we can tap into our understanding of the many ways we can, through small gestures, make life more comfortable, safe, and satisfying for ourselves and those around us.
That's a prescription for awareness.
© 2006-2020 Maya Frost
Please include the following when sharing:
Maya Frost is an author, mindfulness trainer, and creative change strategist.
Learn more at MayaFrost.com