Vicious cycle of modern humans

Happy new year!

Have you ever noticed how much we rely on distractions to avoid sitting with ourselves?

Over the Winter Solstice, I attended a residential silent meditation retreat where we set aside all devices, talking, reading, and even writing. At first, the quiet felt uncomfortable. Without my usual distractions and busyness, I was eventually forced to truly be with my thoughts and emotions. It was humbling to realize how often I’d been keeping myself “busy”—through work, emails, meetings, checking my phone, talking, or tackling endless tasks—often to avoid discomfort of doing nothing.

Experiences like this reveal how many of us are ‘sleepwalking’ through life. We’re preoccupied with thoughts about the future or the past, missing the present moment entirely. How often have you found yourself thinking about dinner or vacation plans while working, only to then check emails or worry about work while on vacation?

Life is too short to be wasted this way.

On top of mental distractions, we often use food, sugar, alcohol, and other substances to numb our feelings. For many, this becomes a vicious cycle: stressful days or negative emotions lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which then result in poor health, lack of sleep, lower productivity, and an even busier, more stressful life. The cycle continues, leaving us feeling disconnected from ourselves and our true needs.

Yoga and meditation are powerful tools to break free from these mindless patterns. As a nutritional epidemiologist, I’ve observed how modern lifestyles trap people in these cycles, often leading to chronic health issues such as autoimmune diseases, digestive problems, depression and anxiety.

Let’s step into 2025 with greater awareness and intention ❤️