REST

 

   

I came across this helpful information many years back*. Some of you may find it useful.

 

“Experiments by University of British Columbia researcher Peter Suedfeld and his colleagues show that renewal comes not only from rest, but from REST—Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy. Suedfeld knew from earlier studies of sensory restriction that being alone in a monotonous environment heightens a person’s sensitivity to any sort of stimuli, whether external or internal. So he offered hundreds of people a chance to tune more deeply into themselves through a literal day of REST, during which they would do nothing but lie quietly on a comfortable bed in the isolation of a dark soundproof room. Food, water, and a chemical toilet were available, and communication was possible over an intercom through which brief persuasive messages could be transmitted.

“The day of REST has been notably successful in helping people who want to increase their self-control—to gain or lose weight, reduce alcohol intake, improve speech fluency, reduce hypertension, overcome irrational fears, boost self-confidence, or stop smoking.”

 

Anyone can experience this (REST) for themselves through places that offer “sensory deprivation tanks.” Though to experience a whole day of this technique is extremely expensive, but good results have been found with just an hour or two.

*The Pursuit of Happiness: Discovering the Pathway to Fulfillment, Well-Being, and Enduring Personal Joy, by David G. Myers, PhD.

Take care.

Mark

Just Mulling Out Loud

Nothing in particular to mention, but the idea, again, of inequality popped up in my mind. There has always been economic inequality, with the worst times being during the Gilded Era (late 1800s) and during the Great Depression. The thing that surprises me is that few people seem to care about it. That is, people on the whole know about it, but it seems number 42 on the list of societal needs.

This is puzzling. But one thing is not puzzling, and that is that the wealthy have done a good job of presenting it as a needed evil we all have to deal with because of the "free market." In fact, they haven't done a good job, they've done a great job.

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The Price of Inequality

I've probably mentioned this book in the blog before, but in any case, I'll do it again. The book deserves to be mentioned again. It's titled, The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future, by Joseph E. Stiglitz, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Simply put, it talks about what has caused the severe economic inequality in the U.S. and the effects of that inequality. It's written clearly, it's thorough, and it's persuasive.

It's great to have a great book on dire topic.

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