Learning to Unwind

Learning to Unwind

It appears that in spite of -- or because of -- all the technology available to the world today, people are busier than ever. A moment sitting alone with ones thoughts can quickly be replaced with an urgent sense that something should be accomplished. There was a time when cell phones were a product of someone's imagination. When a person left home, they also left behind the ability to chat on the phone, and they certainly had no access to 24/7 Internet capabilities. Time spent in the car might have sometimes felt boring, but it was also quiet, and an opportunity to contemplate the day ahead.

Just a few short years ago it would have been unthinkable to sit at dinner with one person while carrying on a conversation with someone in another room. And yet, that is precisely what is happening as people choose to accept calls on their cells phones, check their email, listen to voicemail, and otherwise remove themselves from the real life that is going on around them. There are those who claim that the problem is generational and that the younger the individual, the less likely he is to be able to look someone in the eyes ad carry on a real life conversation. Whether or not that observation turns out to be accurate, there seems to be a longing from people of all ages to turn the clock back a bit, and to revisit a time when relaxing meant truly relaxing.

No one is suggesting that tech-lovers go cold turkey. Perhaps they can start small, like with a happy hour san diego. Everyone knows how great the cuisine is in this city located so near the Mexican border, and yet some people go through life without really experiencing it. It is not enough to drink and snack while sneaking a look at their smartphones. Anyone truly serious abut regaining the simple pleasures in life needs to practice turning that phone off and leaving it in the car if the need be.

They ought to order a cold drink, sit back, and people watch until they are met by a friend who is equally enthusiastic about re-learning the art of relaxation. One happy hour is not going to suddenly offer peace of mind or break anyone of the habit of logging in when they really should be logging out, but is a pretty good place to start.