NOT BORING CHATS

massages, hydration of my body, sound therapy and working on my mindset, in which I incorporate different techniques such as hypnotherapy.

NB: Do you think that the modern pace of life is sustainable or so you think that collectively (and on a global scale) we need to slow down?

KR: In my professional opinion as a psychologist and wellbeing strategist, it is crucial to recognize the potential negative mental health consequences that can arise if we fail to slow down. The impact of a fast-paced lifestyle can lead to conditions such as burnout and depression. It is alarming to note that in the UK, a significant portion of the population, approximately 8 million people, which accounts for 12% of the population, rely on antidepressants for support.

According to the Labor Force Survey, when examining work-related ill health in 2021/22, it becomes evident that stress, depression, anxiety, and musculoskeletal disorders are the primary contributors. These conditions accounted for a significant number of lost workdays, with 17.0 million days lost due to stress, depression, or anxiety, and 7.3 million days lost due to musculoskeletal disorders.

On average, individuals suffering from these conditions took approximately 16.5 days off work. Howver, the duration varied depending on the specific health concern, with injuries resulting in an average of 10.6 days off work, ill health cases at 17.2 days, stress, depression, or anxiety at 18.6 days, and musculoskeletal disorders at 15.2 days.

NB: Does the pursuit of wealth intrinsically bring with it a degree of stress?

KR: Generally yes, just like the pursuit of any other important goal. Typically pursuit of wealth is associated with perseverance and sacrifices, which often includes sacrificing health. Even people like Elon Musk, Arianna Huffington or Grace Beverly (founder of Tala, who bulid an empire before the age of 30) publicly admit having experienced burnout.

However, people differ in their approach to pursuing goals and in their values. For example Warren Buffet, one of the world’s most successful investors, is known for his calm and patient approach to investing. He advocated long-term value investing and avoiding unnecessary stress. Also the founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprad built a global retail brand while advocating maintaining a simple and frugal lifestyle, which helped him avoid excessive stress. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, a popular shapewear brand, built her business empire from scratch. She has been open about her approach to maintaining a positive and low-stress mindset, incorporating practices like meditation and gratitude practice.

NB: Conversely, and following on from that last question, can increased wealth in itself alleviate