Spirituality

Are you burnt out?

By Anthony O'Flynn

It is that time of year when many are about to take a break and enjoy some downtime after a busy year and the frantic energy that the silly season typically embodies.

And yet many people think that taking time out is a luxury. This is far from the truth. It is a necessity. Today’s world is more hectic that ever. Being busy is considered to be a bizarre status symbol. People try to cram more and more into their life and believe that quantity is better than quality and are so stressed running around that they forget that enjoying the journey is the whole point. How we live is of much greater importance that what we do.

Stress is a major obstacle to our well being.

In 1998, Dr Bruce Lipton released research by Stanford University Medical School stating that stress is the cause of 95% of all disease. Wow! This indicates the root cause of much of today’s chronic illness is in some way stress related. We see examples of this everywhere and even in our own life but too often we do not read the signals.

Fight or flight – Rest & digest

This way of being that embraces stress as a modern way of living is detrimental to our health. The nervous system is effectively divided into two branches. The sympathetic branch is often referred to as the ‘flight or fight’ component while the parasympathetic is related with the ‘rest and digest’ aspects of your being. When you are constantly stressed, anxious and tired do you know which branch is active? The sympathetic branch. The imbalance occurs when you are too stressed in a state of ‘on the go’ and too little rested, relaxed and calm. Does this sound familiar? The body can cope with this imbalance but although a rubber band can be stretched, there is always a breaking point. Although different, these branches are complimentary to each other and both are necessary for optimal health.

Seek balance

And so the issue of balance becomes significant. We need to rest and digest, smell the roses and while you are doing that don’t forget to breathe. It is a necessity not a luxury. Nurturing yourself this holiday season may be the best present you get for Christmas. Make good choices – do yoga, meditate, relax, take naps, connect with nature and most importantly just be. Finally, remember that you are a human being and not a human doing.

About the author

Anthony O'Flynn

Holistic Life Coach & Mentor, Educator, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Yoga, Meditation, Tantra & Mindfulness Teacher

Anthony is a true pioneer in the field of modern spirituality. His approach allows him to navigate a broad range of topics and modalities while drawing connections and offering profound insights into consciousness and the spiritual path. Anthony’s purpose is to awaken individuals to the power of the human soul and discover a life of true purpose and inspiration.

His ability to link the ancient and the modern provides a bridge between traditional spirituality and a 21st century lifestyle. His approach is insightful and his audience enjoys his spirited humour, profound knowledge and light-hearted style of communicating timeless truths.

Anthony's message expresses a true wisdom that can only be accumulated by well over 20 years of experience on the path, complete with breakthroughs, mistakes, dead-ends, realisations, acceptance and joy for the profound journey of life.

Anthony regards himself as an eternal student but it is the role of awakener and educator that is apparent through the countless workshops, courses, retreats and events that he facilitates. He is a skilled presenter and speaker with an ability to articulately communicate concepts that ‘stick’ with the audience creating many ‘a-ha’ moments and genuine transformations that represent his unique gift.

As a certified life-coach, Anthony is also passionate about personal development and uses the tool of the Enneagram to support the removing of blocks and assist to inspire his clients to be the best version of themselves. Anthony has embraced the path of Tantra since 1999 and he draws on his extensive experience in this field in the teaching of Tantric sexuality.

After studying at university for six years and completing a Masters in Communications at Monash University in Melbourne, Anthony embarked on a global expedition travelling across the globe. Anthony’s life-long interest in mysticism dramatically intensified on a trip to India in 1999, where he began to practice yoga and meditation. This turning point led to a deeper spiritual integration and led Anthony to spend more than two years of his life in India. Anthony deeply immersed himself in the practice of yoga, meditation and studied numerous diverse paths and topics related to spirituality.

Anthony is also the Director of the Paradigm Shift Summit, which is a movement of socially and spiritually aware people who recognise that an awakening is occurring as humanity evolves to a higher more elevated level of consciousness. The Paradigm Shift movement is an expression of the goal of assisting humanity transform to a new level of awareness during this critical transition.