This Is Why We All Need an Occasional Break from Reality (And How to Get It)

(Photo : Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay )

Ann Murray wasn't supernaturally prescient when she proclaimed in her famous song that we sure could use a little good news today. Now decades removed, that proclamation is truer than ever. We live in an era when we are literally being poisoned by our water and air. What chance do we have when we are finding irradiated material in our tap water? At times, it feels like the deck is stacked against us. That feeling of hopelessness is overwhelming to far too many people.

Failing to report on reality is not the answer. If people aren't made aware of the truth about our predicament, they can't do anything about it. They will just be taken unaware. Knowledge is power. And as every fan of Spiderman knows, with great power comes great responsibility. No one is advocating that we shirk our responsibility and sink into blissful ignorance.

But we all need the occasional break from the relentless heralding of our impending doom. Our various environmental issues are undeniable. But so is the mental health crisis which gets much less media attention. A temporary break from reality is not the same as a descent into permanent escapism. It is a way to refuel in a way that helps us tackle the challenges that face us. Here are a few suggestions for getting it done:

Enjoy Some Vintage Music

Today's music is as crazy-making as the news. Recently, eight people were crushed to death at a concert in Houston where the music and the moment drove a crowd to rare heights of insanity. That is not the purpose of music. It is certainly not what we need more of at this moment. Dial the music calendar back to a time when music could sooth rather than provoke the savage beast.

While you are working the wayback machine, spin those tunes on their original vinyl records. Make sure it is one of those players that gives you the look and feel of a timeless classic, but can still play other media like cassettes and CDs. If you are feeling really nostalgic, fire up the AM radio and let a DJ provide you with the music therapy for which you are longing. Music and good mental health tend to go together. Explore how previous generations appreciated music. Indulge in the classics of your youth. And find new expressions of music that bring you peace.

Learn Photography

You do not have to be a professional photographer to capture the beauty of the world around you. It only takes the right equipment and minimal knowledge about how to use it. Some of the best landscapes are taken with smartphones. There is a good chance you already have a smartphone that will get you the kind of photos you need to catalog much of the world's beauty.

However, when you are ready to take it to the next level, you might want to pick up an entry-level DSLR and take a photography course at the local community college. It will give you the confidence to take great pictures in any situation. You don't necessarily want to do photo journaling. We are already up to our eyeballs in disturbing imagery. But reality is more than just disturbing. It is also sublime. Make it a point to capture something sublime every few days to help you gain perspective on more than just the negative aspects of the world.

Take a Sabbatical

Traditionally, a sabbatical is a long vacation for white-collar executives who are feeling burned out and weary of their daily grind. We can all take a moment to shed a tear and feel for those wealthiest of the 1%. That said, they have the right idea. When you are feeling burned out, you should also find a way to stop the grind and take a mental health vacation. Your sabbatical does not have to be in some picturesque, Tibetan monastery high on a mountain top. But three days in a cabin in the woods can do you wonders.

It is important to recognize that reality is not the problem. The problem is that on which we focus our attention. Re-center your focus by indulging in the vintage, photographing beauty, and taking a mental health vacation every now and then.