A lime-and-blue striped hammock stretched between two small hurdles, one leaning over, against a white background.

Original artwork, not a still

Lily Tomlin

For fast acting relief, try slowing down.

— The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe · 1991

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The line borrows the language of a pain-relief advertisement and offers an unexpected remedy: slowing down. It humorously suggests that much of our stress comes from hurry, and that easing the pace may help more quickly than anything sold in a bottle.

Context reviewed

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