"Tranquility" - It's good for us!
A week ago, @foxyspirit and I engaged in a small conversation about 'tranquility' and we thought it would make a great tag to use on Steemit. We eventually decided that it would be even more amazing to get this tag used and trending - to engage others to use it and share their places or moments of tranquility and what brings them the most tranquility.
When I began the process of defining what exactly 'tranquility' was, I realized there is much more to it that deserves further study. To summarize, apparently the state of tranquility is just as important as other life necessities that give us health and well-being. There have been considerable scientific studies on the impacts of our modern world on the brain relative to stress which contribute to depression, irritability, non-connectiveness (growing exponentially), smaller brain size, digestive problems and the list goes on. There have also been considerable studies done on the positive effects of simply adding tranquility into our lives which reverses many of the negative side effects of daily stress - even changing the brain, improving memory, etc.
What exactly is tranquility?
According to Wiki:
The word tranquility appears in numerous texts ranging from the religious writings of Buddhism, where the term passaddhi refers to tranquility of the body, thoughts and consciousness on the path to enlightenment, to an assortment of interpretations of the word typically linked to engagement with the natural environment.
Some of the determinations made according to Northumbria University and Newcastle University:
Stimuli with positive impacts on tranquility
- a natural landscape, including woodland
- presence of rivers, streams, lakes or the sea
- birds and other wildlife
- wide open spaces
- clear open night sky with/without moon
- beach in a unique location
- open field,flora etc. with gentle to moderate wind flow
Examples of stimuli having negative impacts on tranquility
- Motorized transport: cars, motorcycle, trains and aircraft – and roads and railways
- light pollution
- large numbers of people
- pylons, power lines, masts and wind turbines
- noise
--Note: This cartographic study showed that tranquility is not the absence of all noise, activity and buildings. Indeed, it found that many rural activities, such as farming and hiking, and natural noises such as birdsong and cows lowing, enhance people’s experience of tranquility.
Source
Additionally, many of these studies have introduced brain scans of Buddhist monks and brains exposed to a tranquil scene which clearly show that specific regions of the brain become 're-connected' as well as improved blood circulation. Contrary to this, brain scans of a 'stressed brain' showed specific regions of the brain disconnected.
How interesting is that?!
@foxyspirit and I would like to start a trend with the tag '#tranquility'. Share your favorite place of tranquility and use the tag 'tranquility'. Hopefully we can build a large library of tranquility to draw upon when we are feeling stress and can't get out to experience the real thing.
"How stress affects your brain" - 4min video
Further Reading:
University of Sheffield. "Tranquil scenes have positive impact on brain." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 September 2010. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100914095932.htm
I know when I get the rare opportunity to experience tranquility, I feel a shift in the way I perceive my surroundings. Apparently, there is some science to explain it to some degree. It reinforces what we seem to intuitively know, a relaxing dose of tranquility does one good. Thanks for the reminder, I like the concept, hopefully we will see the tranquility tag trend, and perhaps it will spread some tranquility amongst its viewers.
For sure....the brain acts differently when it is not in 'fight or flight mode'. You're getting a full spectrum of perception and healthy synergistic chemical reactions ;)
I think this is a wonderful Idea. We all need a place and time to unwind every now and then, and what better place than a tranquil place, whether it is a spot right out your back door or front door to go and sip a cup of coffee while you listen to the world pass by, or at an empty beach by a lake watching the fish jump after the bugs, we all need our own little chill place.
Absolutely, @bashadow. I love your examples of tranquility and your chill places :)
I can think of an experience. It was a few years ago, when the winter was cold and the snow covered the earth. There's a park near my apartment. There I went for a walk, dressed warmly with my son. It was in the morning, hardly any people on the way and the silence caused by the snow captivated me. While the snowflakes fell thick and round from above, he and I lay down flat on the ground. I felt all wrapped up and saw "millions of flakes trickling down to me very slowly. We breathed in the fresh air and gave ourselves to the beauty of winter. As soon as I lay there, I knew that this moment would remain forever in my memory. The tranquility that held me in its lap, the collection of the Spirit united everything else.
It's nice to have the opportunity to get this gem out of the treasure chest of events.
Good morning, @erh.germany.
Again, you have transported me into your memory :) So incredible how you captured the essence of that feeling with the snow....yes! There is a very special feeling after a fresh snow like a buffered silence that you can feel that is so comforting. I don't know why. You captured that feeling perfectly as well as the air and the trickling of snow - I am there! :) What a beautiful feeling and yes perfect example of tranquility.
I hope that you share more of these beautiful gems - you are an amazing, deep writer that has the ability to transfer feeling through your words.
Thank you. I felt very much inspired by you.
It's one thing to become touched by a piece of literature from a fictional story but another to hear a real life experience as you had it with your teacher.
It gave me hope and it showed me how important it is for children to witness the authenticity of adults. I wondered how many people actually experience something like this and in their memories an adult has truly taken the lead and, in being together with children, actually believed that he was giving something of great value. It makes me a little sad that both parents and teachers often feel a low self-esteem and are therefore not accepted as role models or receive a space in the feelings and thoughts of the children.
Your story is therefore for me once again an anchor for my own work with young adults and my conviction that what I have to give will only matter to these young people if I consider it the same way.
I recently had a conversation with a friend, whose resignation and anger that I just said this to him (everything you do or leave has a meaning) became clear. He does not believe that "normal" people make a difference in this world.
... Also, I even thought of showing your story to one of my sons teachers.
May I ask, where you are located?
Erika
So inspiring, Erika! There is no bigger compliment than hearing that you've inspired someone.
For sure, we ALL make a difference if we want to but I think it is in sharing what brings us joy - clearly this wasn't 'just a job' to this teacher. He had some amazing spark in his own soul otherwise it wouldn't have had the impact that it did. He was drawing on what makes his soul come alive. I would imagine someone else, some experience lit him up like that at some time in his own life. How many people 'know' what brings them joy and makes them feel alive? That's the key.
I think you might enjoy watching this (14min) video. It relates to this topic. Inspiring.
I can honestly and with quite a bit of experience to back it up say that 'everything has meaning' - EVERYTHING ;)
How wonderful that you work with young people - I wish you success in passing on inspiration, joy and creativity to them.
I live in the U.S. and at the time of that story, I lived in Maryland. Shortly after this period, we moved to the deep south where education was very bad. Very bad. If you are in 'education'......try to be that 'one' great teacher - it matters much.
:-) Sir Ken Robinson, I know him and call him the "education pope". I watched all videos on youtube and find him very articulate and to the point. His great sense of humor makes him a leading figure and I am happy that his words are wide spreading.
I always was responsible for the youngsters when the duty turned on my side. I took the people under my wings and was serious about teaching them what I learned in my work. I worked in the media branche as a PR-consultant but long have changed and now work as a social worker with singles and families.
Years later, I got complimented by one of them. He told me: "You always put so much love into your work and you explained everything so well to me. I want to thank you for that." Since then, I was certain about the impacts I had on those who I cared for. The devotion to my work transports to the ones I am engaging with and even without ever getting in touch again I know for sure that they will remember in the same way you remember your teacher.
Young people are full of gratitude to those who not only "deal" with them but truly see them. I know because I do have warm feelings towards those adults when I was young myself. They were not many but enough...
....
I want to thank you to give me inspiration. You made me translating a fiction and start to post it here. I hope, you are going to read it.
Sincere greetings from Hamburg. Enjoy your weekend.
Absolutely the greatest gift:
What we take with us....
Yes, indeed. That "One" adult that truly 'sees' that child makes all the difference. It gives them a message that they have value in this world and they will grow up and give value to others.
Sincerest greetings from the U.S. and I do hope you enjoy your weekend as well :)
Tranquility. If we see and feel this as often as possible, I think we can also learn a bit about our own selves. There is a lot coming from tranquility, which also can have us grow in a more positive force.
So important to have those moments!
I am eager to see what people do to have tranquil moments and know how they feel just after. Refreshed, anew, changed, energized, at peace?
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