Live While You're Alive by Shiv Khera Summary
Hello friends, welcome to Book Insider. Today we are going to talk about the book Live While You Are Alive by Shiv Khera. Many times in life we think that if we go to a good place, do meditation, yoga or adopt any other stress management technique, then our problems will end. But the real thing is that all these things will have an effect only when our thinking i.e. our attitude is right.
Shiv Khera says that the real beginning of stress management is with our attitude and not with external solutions. If a person's thinking is negative, then no matter how good a place he goes to, no matter how many beautiful valleys he tries to relax in, his stress will remain with him. Because stress is not just something that comes from outside.
It is related to our inner thinking and perception. Imagine a person always keeps complaining. He sees negativity in everything and he sees problems everywhere. Now if you send such a person to Maldives, will he be able to stay happy there?
Maybe he will like it on the first day. But gradually the same old things, the same problems will start roaming in his mind and the fun of the vacation will end. On the other hand, if a person has a positive mindset, then he will find happiness in the little things of his daily life.
Whether he is at home or at a travel destination. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, all these are very effective techniques. But these will work only when we have a right mindset. If a person just keeps doing all this mechanically, but keeps thinking negative from within, then there will be no special benefit. The best example of this can be taken from people who go to the gym.
If a person only exercises on machines, but does not take care of his diet, will he get good results? No, right? Similarly, in stress management also, only external activities do not work. Unless our attitude is right. Now the question arises that how do we change our attitude? This will not change overnight.
But some small things can help us. First of all, we have to pay attention to our thoughts. If we practice gratitude every morning and sleep thinking about the good things we have, then gradually our thinking will start changing. The second way is self-awareness i.e. observing ourselves.
Whenever we react to a situation, we should take a pause and think from which perspective we are looking at this situation. In a negative way or in a positive way. If we feel that we are thinking negatively, then we should challenge ourselves and try to see things from a new perspective. Another good way to develop a positive attitude is to surround ourselves with people who themselves have a positive mindset.
If we stay with people who always complain and spread negativity in life, then gradually we will also become like that. But if we stay with people who try to see something good in every situation, then our mindset will also become like that. Shiv Khera's point is very powerful that to get out of stress, just adopting relaxation techniques is not enough.
We have to change our inner thinking as well. This is the reason why many times people go on expensive vacations. Stay in luxury resorts. But still they are not able to enjoy completely. Because real happiness and peace does not come from external things but from our attitude.
If we change our thinking, then stress will not dominate us. We will still face problems, we will still face challenges but we will be able to see them from a new perspective. The day we understand that real stress management is not hidden in external things but in our own thinking, from that day onwards our life will start changing. Life does not always go as we plan.
Sometimes everything is going smoothly and suddenly a challenge comes up which we have never imagined. In such situations, if we are not mentally and practically prepared in advance, then stress, anxiety and panic destroy our ability to think and understand.
For this reason, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized during the book release that we should also prepare for unexpected situations. Now the question arises that how can we prepare for such things which are not in our control. After all, how can one plan for the unexpected?
But think, when we go to take a big exam, we don't just prepare for the questions that seem easy to us, but also focus on those topics that may be difficult or from which tricky questions may come. Similarly, in life too, we should not only focus on things that are already planned but should also be prepared for those possibilities that may suddenly come up.
Unexpected situations can be of many types. Financial crisis, job loss, family emergency, health issues or any other major change. When we start thinking about these things in advance, we have a better approach and we are able to take the right decisions instead of panicking.
Imagine a company is running without any backup plan and suddenly there is some change in the market due to which its sales go down. If that company had thought about alternate strategies in advance, it could have recovered quickly. This principle also applies to our personal life.
Preparation does not mean that we should keep thinking negatively all the time or be afraid of every situation. Its real meaning is that we should develop our thinking and our habits in such a way that whenever something untoward happens, we can immediately adapt and take the right steps.
First of all, we should be financially prepared. Many people spend their entire income and do not save for the future. But when an emergency comes, they get into a lot of trouble. If we keep some savings in advance, create emergency funds and control unnecessary expenses, then we can handle sudden financial problems in a bette way.
Being mentally prepared means that we have to make our emotional strength strong. Many times such moments come in life when we have to take big decisions or go through a difficult situation. At such a time, if we are already emotionally strong, then we can handle that moment better.
For this, things like mindfulness, meditation and self-awareness can help a lot. Staying physically fit also helps in handling unexpected challenges. Suppose a health emergency suddenly arises, then if our body is already strong, then recovery will also be quick.
That is why maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising and taking a proper diet also indirectly prepares us for unexpected situations. Another way to be prepared for unexpected situations is to improve our problem solving skills. Whenever a crisis comes, many people start panicking.
But only those who live in the moment and think soberly are able to take the right decisions. For this, we should make a habit of facing small challenges. Relationships are also a big factor when we talk about handling unplanned situations.
When difficult times come, the people around us become our biggest strength. That is why it is very important to build strong relationships and maintain good relations with your family, friends and colleagues. It is impossible to completely control uncertainty in life.
But if we are mentally, financially, emotionally and physically prepared, we can handle any unplanned situation more effectively. S Jaishankar's statement that we should be prepared for unexpected situations is not just a diplomatic or strategic statement but it is a philosophy that we can apply in our daily life as well. Being prepared is not just a choice but an important skill that everyone should learn. Relationships are the most beautiful and important part of our life.
No matter how successful we become, if we do not have our own people, then that happiness seems incomplete. That is why it is said that investing only in money or achievements is not enough. We should also invest in relationships.
Many people make the mistake of getting so busy with their job, career and other things that they are unable to give time to their close relationships. They think that family and friends will always be with them. But the truth is that every relationship is like a plant. It needs time and attention to grow. If we ignore it, it will gradually weaken.
Often a major reason for stress and mental health issues is that people start feeling emotionally alone. But when we have strong relationships, they work like a safety net in our life. Whenever any difficulty comes, if we have our own people, then we are able to face that difficulty with more courage. Imagine that you are in some big trouble and there is someone with you who understands you, listens to you and gives you emotional support. This in itself is a huge stress buster.
Investing in relationships does not only mean that we spend more time with someone, but its real meaning is that we give quality time and really try to connect with that person. Nowadays we are connected to hundreds of people on social media.
But still many people feel lonely. The reason for this is that connections do not become strong just by being online. They have to be nurtured in real life as well. Trust, understanding and communication are the three pillars of any strong relationship. If there is no trust in our relationship, then it can never become strong. For this, we have to show through our actions that we really care for that person.
Understanding means that instead of just saying our point, we should try to understand the other person as well. Many times we expect a lot from others, but ignore their feelings. If we want to make our relationships strong, then we have to learn to understand the other person's perspective as well.
Communication is also a very important factor. Sometimes small misunderstandings happen because we are not able to speak openly or do not listen to the other person properly. For strong relationships, it is important that we have open and honest communication.
Without any fear. If we feel bad about something someone has said, then instead of keeping it in the heart, it is better to talk and clear it by talking comfortably. To strengthen relationships, we should also take care of small gestures. Like calling someone randomly and asking how are they?
Without any work, going to meet a friend, spending time with family on a special day. All these things may seem small. But they make our relationships very deep. Another meaning of investment in relationships is that we understand the balance of give and take. Many times it happens that one person always puts in effort and the other just receives. But for any healthy relationship, it is important that there are equal efforts from both sides.
If we want people to value us, then we also have to become a valuable person in their life. Many times such moments come in life when someone close to us starts moving away from us or due to some reason there is a distance in the relationship.
In such a situation, it is very important to take initiative by keeping the ego aside. If a relationship is really important for us, then we should take steps to save it and make it stronger. Talking about stress management, strong relationships play a very big role in this matter too.
When we have people in our life whom we can trust and who support us, our anxiety and stress automatically reduce. Research also says that people who have strong social connections have better mental health and are happier in life.
In today's fast life, it has become very important that we invest consciously in our relationships. Life is not complete by focusing only on earning money or building a career. We have to learn to spend time with our people as well. Those who create this balance, live a truly fulfilling life.
Everyone wishes to be happy in life and maintain mental peace. But many times we ourselves get trapped in such people or situations that drain our energy. This is negativity or toxicity which gradually affects our mental health.
Therefore, it is important that we consciously eliminate toxicity from our lives and keep ourselves in a positive and healthy environment. Toxicity is not limited to relationships but it can be in everything that disturbs us mentally or emotionally. Sometimes it is the people around us.
Sometimes a job, sometimes a habit and sometimes even social media. Such things gradually destroy our happiness and make us mentally weak. That is why the no toxicity principle was emphasized so that people can live a better and peaceful life by removing negativity from their lives.
First of all, let's talk about toxic relationships. These are such relationships where we repeatedly feel stress, guilt, sadness or low self-esteem. Such people manipulate our emotions. They repeatedly criticize us or always make us feel down. Many times we keep tolerating such people.
Because we think that we can change them. But the truth is that if someone does not want to change himself, then we cannot do anything. In such a situation, the best solution is that we set our boundaries and keep ourselves away from such people. Toxicity does not only come from others, but many times we ourselves also become toxic for ourselves.
When we repeatedly doubt ourselves, do negative self-talk or blame ourselves excessively for our mistakes, then we harm our mental health. There is a difference between self-criticism and self-improvement. If we keep demeaning ourselves all the time, then gradually our confidence will end. Therefore, it is important that we treat ourselves well and focus on our strengths.
Social media can also become a big toxic factor. If we do not handle it properly. Nowadays everyone is busy showing their perfect life and if we keep comparing our life with others all the time, then we will never be able to be happy. Use social media correctly. But if any content or any person is disturbing your mental peace, then you should not hesitate to unfollow or block them.
Workplace toxicity is also very common. Many times we work in an environment where we have to face pressure, criticism and negativity all the time. If our job is giving us only stress and unhappiness, then we should seriously think whether this job is more important than our mental peace.
If an immediate solution is not possible, then at least we should keep our mindset in such a way that we do not absorb that negativity. Eliminating toxicity does not mean that we run away from every small problem. Challenges will always remain in life.
But we have to understand which things are temporary challenges and which things are constantly draining us mentally. If something is repeatedly taking away our happiness and making us mentally weak, then cutting it off is the right solution. Adopting a positive mindset is also a big way to eliminate toxicity.
When we make our thinking strong, external negativity affects us less. Things like meditation, gratitude practice and positive affirmations make us mentally strong and help us see our life from a better perspective. The first step to eliminate toxicity is awareness.
We have to identify which toxic elements are there in our life. After this, we have to learn to prioritize ourselves. Many people ignore their mental peace in order to make others happy. But we have to understand that our happiness is also important.
When we are mentally healthy, only then will we be able to behave well with others. To live a peaceful and stress-free life, it is very important that we remove negativity from our life. Be it a person, a situation or our own thinking. If it is disturbing us mentally, then we have to distance ourselves from it.
The no toxicity principle is not just a rule but a mindset that can make our life better and happier. Valuing time is a habit that not only increases our productivity but can also reduce our stress levels to a great extent.
It is often seen that people are always busy showing themselves to be busy. But in reality, most of their time is wasted in non-productive activities. This is the reason why they always feel burdened with work and stress becomes a part of their life. If we really want to live a balanced and peaceful life, then we have to learn to respect our time. Proper time management does not mean that we just keep working all day and forget the rest of our life.
It actually means that we allocate the right time for everything and organize our day in such a way that we do not feel the lack of anything. Many people consider time management as unnecessary. But the truth is that those who know how to use their time properly, are able to achieve more by living under less stress. Often people think that they do not have enough time to work, but in reality the problem is not the lack of time but its wrong handling.
If we analyse our day honestly, we will realize how much time we waste in such tasks which are neither important nor add any value to our life. Social media scrolling, unnecessary gossip, procrastination and commitments made without thinking are our biggest time killers. When we waste our time in these things, there is no time left for important tasks and then last minute rush and stress increases.
One of the biggest advantages of time management is that it improves our mental clarity. When we know what we have to do and when, our mind is saved from unnecessary anxiety. Imagine that you have a well-planned schedule. Where you know what you have to do at what time.
This will not only make your work efficient but will also put less load on your mind. On the other hand, if you do not have any plan and you do everything at the last moment, then that work is not completed properly and stress also increases. Another important thing is that time management is not limited to work related things only but is equally important in personal life as well.
Many people give so much priority to their work that they are unable to make time for their family, friends and themselves. But when we learn to manage our time properly, we can create a balance for everything.
Along with work, it is important to take out time for self-care, relationships and hobbies as these things recharge us mentally. Another important aspect of time management is priority setting. Everyone has only 24 hours in a day. But the difference is only in how we use those 24 hours. Successful people are those who do important things first and other things later. For this, we have to learn to categorize our tasks.
Urgent and important tasks should be done first. Whereas non-essential tasks should either be postponed or delegated. Many times people consider multitasking as a solution to time management. But the truth is that multitasking reduces our efficiency.
When we try to do many tasks simultaneously, neither any work is completed properly nor our energy is used properly. Instead, it is better to focus on one task at a time. This not only gets our work done quickly and well but also keeps our stress level low.
A good habit that can improve our time management is time blocking. In this, we divide our day into small blocks. And each block is dedicated to a specific task. Like one block in the morning for exercise and self-care, then one block for work, then a break, then another task.
If we divide our day in this way, then our time is used efficiently and we also get enough time for each task. Taking breaks is also an important part of time management. Many people think that working continuously brings more productivity. But in reality, if we take small breaks in between, both our efficiency and focus increase.
So instead of doing continuous work, we should take strategic breaks so that we can stay mentally fresh. Self-discipline is the most important thing to learn time management. We have to develop this habit in ourselves that we avoid time-wasting tasks and follow our schedule honestly.
In the beginning, it may seem a bit difficult. But when we start practicing it daily, it becomes a part of our life. Gradually we will see that our productivity has increased. Our stress has reduced and our life has become more organized and peaceful. Respecting time is not just our own need.
But it is also a way of showing respect to others. When we take our commitments seriously and complete the work on time, people start trusting us more. People who respect time have a different identity in the society and others also like to work with them. Finally, if we want to make our life stress free and successful, then we have to understand the value of time. Every second is precious and if we learn to use it properly, then we can take our life to a new level.
Time management is not a boring or unnecessary thing but it is a powerful skill that can make our life better. When we learn to respect our time, not only will efficiency come in our life but we will also feel more relaxed and happy. In today's fast-paced life, people get so entangled in work, commitments and responsibilities that they forget a very important thing.
Rest and recovery. Most of us believe that the more we work, the closer we will get to success. But the truth is that without proper rest and recovery, no person can reach his full potential.
The first and most important step in stress management is to give complete rest to our body and mind. This is why getting a good night's sleep is considered an important takeaway in this subject. Our body needs proper sleep to recharge. When we get good sleep, our mind is refreshed. Our memory improves and our body recovers physically. But when we do not get enough sleep, we feel tired, irritable and mentally drained all the time.
It affects not only our mood but also our productivity, decision making ability and even our relationships. Many times people think that by sleeping less they will be able to do more work. But in reality, due to lack of sleep, both their efficiency and focus decrease.
The biggest side effect of sleep deprivation is that it increases stress levels. When our body and mind are not able to rest completely, our nervous system remains in constant alert mode. Due to which the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, increases. This is the reason why people with lack of sleep react more to small things.
Their patience level decreases and they start feeling everything overwhelming. When we take proper rest, our brain is more capable of handling stress naturally. Rest is not limited to just sleeping but it also includes our overall recovery process. Our body and mind can function well only when we give them a chance to recover properly.
That is why relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing and even hobbies help our mind to work. Many times we feel that we should keep doing something all the time. But the truth is that sometimes doing nothing is also very important for our well being. Nowadays our sleep is also disturbed due to social media and technology.
Many people use the phone before sleeping at night, due to which their mind remains active and they are not able to sleep quickly. Blue light reduces the melatonin production sleep hormone of our body. Due to which we find it difficult to sleep naturally.
If we want to maintain good sleep hygiene, then we should stay away from the screen at least one hour before sleeping and let our mind relax. Being a workaholic has become a kind of status symbol nowadays. But the truth is that without proper rest we cannot achieve long term success. Our body has a limit and if we keep pushing it, then at one point our energy will end. Many people become victims of burnout.
Where both their body and mind give up. That is why it is very important to prioritize self-care and understand the signals of your body. Whenever our body and mind feel tired, instead of ignoring it, we should give it proper recovery time.
Another important aspect of relaxation is connecting with nature. When we go to open spaces, take fresh air or spend time around greenery, our mind calms down naturally. Studies have also proved that staying close to nature reduces our stress level and improves our sleep quality. So if you want good sleep, then spending some time in nature during the day can also be an effective way.
Many people give the excuse that they do not have time to rest or get proper sleep. But the truth is that we waste time in many non-essential activities in our day, if we reduce them, we can save enough time. Unnecessary scrolling on social media, binge watching and unplanned activities can spoil our sleep.
If we plan our day properly and set our priorities, then we can easily get a good sleep of seven to eight hours. Our diet and physical activity also play an important role in our rest and recovery process.
If we eat junk food throughout the day, consume more caffeine and do not do physical activity, then our sleep quality automatically deteriorates. For good sleep, we have to maintain a healthy diet which has proper nutrients and also make daily exercise a part of our routine.
When our body functions properly, our sleep also improves and we feel more mentally fresh. Another important thing is bedtime routine. If we make a habit of sleeping and waking up at a fixed time every day, then our body's internal clock circadian rhythm gets set, which naturally gives us good and deep sleep. Some calming activities like light reading, meditation or listening to soothing music before sleeping can help relax our mind.
Prioritizing rest and recovery does not mean that we become lazy or less ambitious. Rather, it actually means that we optimize our energy levels so that we can do our work more effectively and efficiently. A fresh and well-rested mind is always more creative, productive and focused.
Therefore, for long term success, we should take care of our rest along with our work. To live a stress-free and balanced life, we have to take care of our body and mind. Getting good sleep, proper rest and giving priority to recovery is not a luxury. Rather it is a necessity for our overall well being.
Only when we give complete rest to our body and mind, we will be able to unlock our full potential and live a happy, healthy and successful life. In today's fast-paced life, people have become so busy that they forget to give proper rest and recovery.
But the truth is that without adequate sleep and proper relaxation, no person can reach his full potential. The most important thing for stress management is that we give complete rest to our body and mind.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also emphasized that get a good night's sleep. There is a key takeaway because proper rest is fundamental to our productivity and well being. When we get good sleep, our mind is refreshed. Memory improves and the body recovers physically.
But when we ignore our sleep, we start feeling tired, irritable and mentally exhausted all the time. Lack of sleep increases stress levels. Decision making ability is weakened and relationships are also negatively impacted. Studies show that lack of sleep increases the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, which also increases anxiety and frustration.
Rest is not limited to just sleeping but it also includes relaxation activities. Such as meditation, deep breathing and hobbies. Many times we feel that it is important to remain busy all the time. But the truth is that sometimes giving yourself a break is equally important. Overworking decreases productivity instead of increasing it. Because a tired brain cannot work efficiently.
Technology is also having a bad effect on our sleep quality. Many people use the phone before sleeping, due to which their brain remains active and there is a problem in falling asleep. Blue light suppresses the melatonin sleep hormone.
Due to which the body's natural sleep cycle gets disturbed. If we want to maintain good sleep hygiene, then it is important to stay away from the screen before sleeping and adopt relaxing activities. Nowadays workaholism is seen as a status symbol.
But without proper rest, no one can achieve long term success. If we keep pushing ourselves continuously, then after coming to a point, burnout can happen. Where both the body and the mind give up. It is very important to give priority to self-care and understand the signals of the body.
Whenever the body and mind feel tired, instead of ignoring it, proper recovery time should be given. Connecting with nature is also an effective way of relaxation.
When we spend time around greenery, take fresh air, our stress level naturally decreases and sleep quality improves. Therefore, spending some time close to nature in the daily routine can also be helpful. So friends, this was our book summary for today.
Also read: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins Summary
Also read: The Art Of Reading Minds Book Summary pdf
Also read: The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli Summary PDF
Also read: King Of Envy By Ana Huang Read Online
Also read: Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent Book Review PDF
Also read: The Science Of Self Discipline Peter Hollins Summary
Also read: The Commonsense Diet By Rujuta Diwekar Summary PDF
Comments
Post a Comment