Jess recently shared her thoughts on the importance and sometimes challenges of slowing down. You can find out how her time away from Instagram helped encourage her to slow down But how difficult it is. Summer always seems to go by quickly and it can feel stressful at times, trying to fit in every little thing to get the most out of it.There’s nothing wrong with grabbing longer days enjoy summer, but can also be slowed down. Maybe we’ll find that we can enjoy the moment more without constantly searching for the next activity or task. I’ve been thinking about this lately, so I wanted to share some thoughts on how to slow down and create times that feel rejuvenated and happy.
10 tips for slowing down in a fast-moving world
Let go of the little things
This is a tricky question. As someone who grew up in a household where a clean and tidy house was a priority, it was sometimes hard to let that go. If you feel like you’re moving 1 million miles per hour all day, and now you have a ton of chores to do at home, replace the little things you can wait for with something quiet and peaceful. Would the world end if that dress didn’t fold today? Can I wait until tomorrow or the day after to clean the dog hair? Prioritize quiet time and you’ll feel better.
appreciate the little things
OK, so I know it sounds contradictory because I just told you to let go of the little things, but what I meant was trying to practice mindfulness by adjusting to the present moment. We all find ourselves in a daze all day, with ideas and lists running through our minds. Practice bringing yourself back to the present moment. For example, in the shower, instead of planning your day and everything you need to do, tone your senses, feel the pressure of the warm water and steam on your face and body, give yourself a little extra massage and love you Rinse your body with soap. Or, as you drive to work or drop your kids to school, pay attention to the trees, skies, and houses you pass by. Watch out for people walking their dogs or couples holding hands or hugging on the street. Capture those precious little moments and carry them with you throughout the day. You’ll be surprised how much you miss out on the bewildering “ordinary” routines that may no longer seem so mundane once you’ve truly adjusted to your surroundings.
take care of you first
When you have a long list of people and things to take care of, it can be difficult to prioritize yourself. If you know you’ve got a busy day ahead, get up 30 minutes earlier to make time for yourself. Maybe it means reading quietly on your porch by yourself before your family wakes up. Enjoy a cup of coffee on a quiet walk outside without music or podcasts. Prioritizing quiet, peaceful time for yourself at the beginning of the day will make you feel more ready for everything else.
Take a Dopamine Detox
The hashtag #dopeaminedetox has become very popular recently, and for good reason. We’re all so connected to our phones, social media, podcasts, music, and TV that we have few real quiet hours throughout the day. Even when we think we’re “slowing down” and taking a walk with a podcast in the background, we still get a dopamine hit. Check out this article on how a dopamine detox can boost your productivity.
go outside
If I can stress one thing, get out. You don’t even need to pair it with activities like walking or biking. Literally step out, let your feet touch the earth, look up at the bright and beautiful sky, and breathe in the fresh outdoor air. Even for just a few minutes, it can really do wonders for your emotional and mental health. Humanity is supposed to be connected to the earth and we have become so estranged. Prioritize your time to build that connection, and that’s it. Pay attention to the natural wonders around you, and you’ll notice a sudden change in your perspective. There is a big world around us, and we often get caught up in our own little world.
morning paper
A friend recently shared this simple but totally transformative practice with me when I was struggling with a particularly anxious time. Morning Pages was developed by writer and artist Julia Cameron, who created this simple practice as a cornerstone tool for creative recovery. Basically Morning Pages is an exercise where the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is to write down 3 pages of any thought or idea that comes to your mind before doing anything else. There is no right or wrong way to do your morning reading, it is important to write down whatever comes to your mind. I’ve found clearing the clutter out of the brain to be a very helpful practice, while also revealing some important themes that arise beneath all this clutter. Watch this video and read more about Morning Pages here.
put down your phone
I know we keep saying this, but seriously, please take a moment to get away from your phone. with reason. Plug it in across the room at night so you don’t want to roll late at night or first thing in the morning. Set a time to check it out throughout the day so you don’t check it impulsively and get addicted to social media or other addictive apps throughout the day. By the way, I need to handle all of this myself…so don’t worry, you’re not alone!
do a quiet activity
Read, puzzle, paint, do yoga, meditate, write in a journal, or take a walk. Try something non-technical and fully immerse yourself in the activity without being distracted or multitasking.
set boundaries
One of the hardest things about taking time to slow down and relax is the guilt and sense of impending doom that comes with it. The accessibility of email, social media and our mobile phones makes it difficult for people to feel justified in leaving get off work and taking on other responsibilities. Set boundaries for when you start and stop checking and responding to emails and checking apps and text messages in the morning and evening.
Avoid multitasking
Multitasking has become a norm in our culture and is often required in many occupations and lifestyles. Think about all the things a stay-at-home mom does in a day, it’s almost impossible to get through the day without multitasking! However, if you can, try giving yourself one task at a time to work on. For example, put away your phone while working so you can be productive and focus on your tasks. You’ll find that you’re much more efficient at completing them, and likely at a higher quality.
In what ways have you slowed down in your life? How do you make time to prioritize slowing down?
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