Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

14 TORCH | Spring–Summer 2011 MILOUS | ISTOCKPHOTO G ary has been working 10-hour days in a demanding job. His busy schedule doesn’t allow much time for exercise, and he’s relied on caffeine to maintain his productivity at work. Although he has sensed an overall energy decline the last few years and has found it increasingly difficult to get a good night’s sleep, he didn’t think it was anything serious. Chronic cold symptoms finally prompted him to see his doctor, who discovered Gary’s blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol were significantly elevated. He had gained 25 pounds and was showing early signs of type 2 diabetes. Gary’s doctor warned him that if he didn’t promptly change his lifestyle, heart disease could shorten his life. We live in a world that is moving at a pace far beyond what our ancestors could have imagined, and we are finding that the price of success and prosperity can be hazardous to our health. According to a 2010 American Psychological Association survey, 44 percent of Americans reported that their stress levels had increased over the past five years, especially in the areas of money, work, and the economy. British economist E.F. Schumacher noted that the modern world is “tumbling from crisis The stress of modern life can manifest itself in our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Rest is crucial for optimal health across all dimensions. Healthy in Mind, Body, and Spirit by Milton Becknell, Ph.D.