We live in a very fast paced world. Sometimes it feels like time is moving so quickly that the days and the months fly by us. This can lead to a sense of overwhelm and constantly feeling like you need to be further ahead or looking to the next thing or you aren’t moving as fast as everyone else. If this is you, here are a few ways to slow down so that you can feel more calm and enjoy the present moment.
Prioritize self-care – put the things that relax and recharge you on your to do list. Treat them like they are important rather than only getting to those activities after you have done everything else.
Practice mindfulness or deep breathing – take small moments to ground yourself in the present. You can focus on your breath by taking slow deep inhales and exhales. One method is the 4×4 method where you inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4 and repeat. With mindfulness, you can repeat a mantra or center yourself by paying attention to small details about your surroundings.
Disconnect from technology – add in device-free and screen-free time into your life. Turn off notifications so that you attention isn’t pulled in multiple directions. Designate time blocks to checking social media or email instead of whenever you get a notification or constantly refreshing throughout the day.
Unplanned days – simplify your schedule by intentionally leaving days open with no plans. Learn to say no to things you don’t want to do and avoid overloading your calendar. It is much easier to go on a random adventure when you have no plans than it is to back out of an obligation because you don’t have the energy that day. Find the balance that works for you of planned and free days.
Mindful eating – savor each bite of your meal instead of rushing through or multi-tasking while you eat. Notice the smell and texture of your food along with the taste. Think about the combination of flavors that happened to create the culinary experience you are having. Chew your food thoroughly to help with digestion.
Practice single tasking – give the task at hand your full attention without distractions. Our brains are not wired to multi-task and technology is making our attention spans smaller and smaller. Counteract this direction by focusing on one thing at a time. You could try time blocking which sets specific amounts of time for various activities to avoid feeling rushed.
Gentle movement – do some yoga or gentle stretching to connect with your body. Think about how every part of your body feels and pay attention to the sensations as you move. Show your body some love for all that it does for you on a daily basis.
Cultivate slow fun – do the calm things that you love or try something new like reading, knitting, cooking, gardening or painting. Fun doesn’t have to be loud or adrenaline inducing to enhance your life.
Play in nature – get outside away from cars and cities and listen to your surroundings. You don’t have to go far for this; you can find a park with a beautiful bench. Or you can go further away to a national or state park or chase some waterfalls. Nature is peaceful because there is so much beauty to be found just by noticing. You don’t have to do anything to experience it which leads into the next one.
Embracing being instead of doing – allow yourself to just be. You don’t have to accomplish anything but instead give yourself permission to simply exist.
Solitude – spend time alone to reflect, recharge and reconnect with yourself. Check-in with your feelings and well being. Think about all the things in life for which you are grateful. Take time to reflect on your experiences, goals and values.
Let me know which of these you try and if they help you slow down a little bit. Savor the small beautiful moments in your life.