To prevent a Wipeout when faced with a challenging Wave of Life (or to recover much faster if you do Wipeout), you need to balance the 4 Elements of Inner Wellbeing.
Just as in Nature there is Wind, Water, Earth and Fire so for Stress Surfers there are Mindsets, Emotions, Lifestyle and Purpose. To ride the Waves of Life successfully we need to understand and live in balance with the 4 Elements of Inner Wellbeing.
The 4 Elements of Your Inner Wellbeing
Ancient cultures recognised four elements in nature: Wind, Water, Earth & Fire. They searched for these elements in their inner worlds.
Element 1 – Mindsets
MINDSETS and thoughts were likened to the free moving and unseen WIND. The way we think about what happens to us, and our beliefs and perceptions about events, circumstances and life pressures are important in managing our stress. We can sometimes see circumstances as being either all bad or all good. This “black or white” or “all or nothing” view of a situation may cause unnecessary distress. It can limit our ability to look at things accurately and solve problems. The Stress Surfer can learn to think about the waves of life in ways that Dr Pete, PhD | 9 turn negative pressures into positive pressures and promote personal growth and success.
Element 2 – Emotions
EMOTIONS and feelings were the cause of tears, which flow like WATER. This is about what we actually do every day in response to life stressors, which influences our ability to ride the waves of life. The Stress Surfer learns to manage their emotions through problem solving, coping strategies and relaxation. We learn to reduce any unnecessary tension and stress, and increase levels of physical calmness and mind relaxation. We become aware of the “here and now”, neither dwelling on the past nor worrying about the future. We develop the ability to draw on positive and relaxing images and memories, which in turn enables us not only to accurately assess and solve problems we experience, but also to stay mentally calm and relaxed.
Element 3 – Lifestyle
LIFESTYLE and the daily needs of the body were likened to the stability of the EARTH. Sometimes we can allow stress to affect our sleeping patterns, eating habits and diet. The elements of our lifestyle related to social activities and hobbies and interests can suffer. We forget to stay physically fit and active. The Stress Surfer learns to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle across the areas of sleep, diet, exercise and social habits and interests, even as the waves of life continue rolling in.
Element 4 – Purpose
PURPOSE and passion were the courage of convictions that burns within us, and were likened to FIRE. Having a clear sense of purpose or mission in life and developing meaningful life goals are the key ingredients of a successful life. The Stress Surfer learns to live according to their values, and pay attention to the legacy they are leaving behind them.
Are you living in Balance with the 4 Elements of your Inner Wellbeing? Which of the Elements do you tend to focus on and which do you neglect when facing the challenging Waves of Life? Take some time out today to review and re-balance the 4 Elements of your Inner Wellbeing!
Bonus Video on KPI4:
Work/Life & Wellbeing
All the best for the week ahead!
HPT Team
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