In today’s world, our life often feels fast paced, busier and more hectic than ever. It is so easy to sweep away in the feelings of needing to do more and keep going. We are consuming more information than our body can handle, leaving us disturbed and helpless. When we try to fit everything into our days, we can’t enjoy ourselves. We miss out on many things, feeling fatigue in the end. Overtime, our body doesn’t recover from all the stress, and we end up having many chronic diseases.
Here I shared 10 simple ways you can slow down in life and feel your best.
1. Put the phone away- Yes you heard it right. I know how hard it is for us to detach from our phones but if we want to slow down, we have to silence our phones from time to time. Phones give us so much information which over activates our minds and puts us in sympathetic mode. Avoid checking your phone the first hour after you wake up and one hour before you go to sleep. Then slowly, have time slots during the day when you are away from your phone for some time.
2. Deep belly breathing- Breathing is the only thing that keeps us alive, so, notice how you are breathing throughout the day. Whenever you feel overwhelmed or tense pause and do deep belly breathing aka. Diaphragmatic breathing. It stabilizes the blood pressure and activates the sensations of relaxation and calm. Simply breathe in through your nose expanding your stomach and then releasing through the mouth deflating the stomach.
3. Nature time- Spending time in nature helps us feel grounded, refreshed and stress free. Mother Nature teaches us to enjoy the present moment without any distractions. We breathe good quality air outdoors which provides greater clarity to the brain, promoting optimum function while helping us to think, focus and concentrate better. It also resets the internal clock and improves sleep quality hence more energy during the day.
4. Home cooking- Cooking is a good stress reliever and can make us happier. When we are cooking, we are focusing on something more positive. Picking and chopping different colored veggies can be really therapeutic to the eyes and mind. Aroma from different spices and herbs activates parts of our brain that nothing else can. Cooking together can build stronger and better bonds among family and friends. Try making new recipes more often with wholesome ingredients which will have an optimistic effect on us physically and emotionally.
5. Single tasking vs. multitasking- We live in a world that is obsessed with getting more done by doing so many things at the same time. Doing many tasks at the same time can be very stressful and chaotic so, concentrate on single tasking by doing one thing at a time. It improves productivity, efficiency and focus. It also saves time and energy which is wasted during multitasking. Single tasking also improves our communication and relationships making us happier.
6. Mindfulness- Mindfully noticing and savoring small moments throughout the day instantly slows us down. Enjoy and relish your favorite coffee or tea. Notice and pay attention to color, smell, taste, texture, etc. Mindfulness pulls us from past or future thoughts to present moments. There are many types of meditations you can try to be more mindful. It immensely reduces stress, anxiety, depression, pain, etc. leaving us more grounded and calmer.
7. Intentions-. Intentions are very powerful so, start your day intentionally slower. Have enough time in the morning so you don’t have to rush through getting ready. Pick out your outfit at night and plan your breakfast ahead of time. Try to focus your attention on the process instead of deadlines. Celebrate each win regardless of them big or small.
8. Declutter- Clutter has negative energy that affects our mental health making us feel lost, overwhelmed and burdened. It makes our brain cluttered as well so, clear out clutter to simplify the space and mind. Owning less stuff makes us more stable, clear headed and relaxed. Decluttering can also improve well-being by reducing dust, mold and mildew. We sleep better in a neat room with a tidy bed. Clean space reduces stress, anxiety and boosts productivity and creativity.
9. Say NO- When we say “yes” to events out of obligation we are saying “no” to ourselves. Practice saying “no” more often. When we say “no” more often, we have more focus because we don’t get distracted or interrupted by other people’s priorities. Set your priorities, spend alone time, and practice gratitude. All these techniques will bring more focus, clarity and calm into your life.
10. Listen actively- Active listening is a great skill we can adapt when we listen to another person with full attention. Ask open ended questions rather than yes or no questions. Also ask for clarification if something you didn’t understand. It avoids misunderstandings and conflicts leading to genuine conversations and relationships. It makes the other person feel that you care and that brings true joy. It is a skill that frees us from the need of constantly replying to someone. There is a great sense of freedom and calmness in just listening.
I hope these are helpful for you. Slowing down can bring so much healing to our physical and mental health. I learn that our body can heal by itself if given half a chance. Let’s give our body that chance to heal by following a few of these techniques and savor each moment of life.
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