The Age of Escapism Part 3

If we participate in yoga, we can insulate ourselves from others, and withdraw to lower our breathing rate and blood pressure. Numerous other health benefits such as energy level, mood, executive function, and ability to control thoughts and emotions have correlated with this positive way to withdraw from everyday life. If we attend a sporting event, we yell, scream and experience enjoyment when our team wins or sadness and disgust when we lose. During the game, we can experience many emotions and not think about our personal issues, stresses and demands. We’re given permission to love our team and hate the opponent. We don’t have time to deal with our own issues as we externalize, project and identify with something outside ourselves. Another way to lose oneself is to read a best-selling novel. We can identify with the protagonist and live vicariously within the story. These are just a few escape mechanisms and if employed in moderation, they are benign. Yes, they do work, in that they block out troubling thoughts. On the other hand, we can consume alcohol, especially at a party or social event in order to loosen up and” enjoy” oneself. Once again, alcohol distorts one’s reality. Some people even become friendlier, while others become drowsy. All the commercials show young people drinking alcohol with smiles on their faces. The messages say” simply distort reality so you can have fun.” We can take drugs, since being in an inebriated state must be superior to present reality. Becoming addicted makes it a medical problem, which gives it cover for otherwise poor choices, inadequate heredity, etc. if it’s a medical problem, then insurance can pay for the treatment. We forget to see that consequence in all the fun loving commercials. However, our current favorite escape mechanism is to be found within the electronics explosion. We can carry our cell phone, provided we have a deep enough pocket, and entertain ourselves almost 24-7. We don’t even have to call someone with our phone device. We can text them, we can play games with them, we can listen to music, we can ask our device questions, we can get directions, etc. etc. What happens when we can’t find our cell phone partner? We become anxious like fearful parents that have lost their child. Find the cell phone and the anxiety lessons. We are dependent and addicted to our escape mechanism called cell phones. Man, may seek momentary pleasure by consuming that milkshake but on the other hand it creates long-term negative health consequences for self. Man may opt for surgery to minimize current pain and that then creates negative health consequences, as in knee replacements that only last for a certain period. Man attempts, at times, to minimize pain as the goal and some might call this seeking happiness. Falling in love is another escape mechanism commonly employed. However, the chemicals involved in this process are short-lived and do not last forever. Our statistics on marriage and divorce continue to bear this out. Living and coping with reality has evolved over time. We no longer have just alcohol and drugs to numb our senses. We now have many more opportunities. The early hunters and gatherers had to do just that, while creating lodging and safety. Early on they discovered more “civilized” ways of escape in the process. Since then we have mastered it beautifully. If you’re pursuing happiness, tell me how it turned out.