The Art of Slowing Down – How to Take Little Moments to Yourself
August 02, 2017Slowing down at various places in your day is like making a deposit in your energy and focus savings account—the kind of account the grows interest. Slow down and be energized!
We live in a fast-paced world, running from one place to the next without having any time to think about what we’re doing. Our cell phones are glued to our hands and eyes while our computers are constantly within arm’s reach – you know, just in case we need them. We are inundated with messages from signs, commercials, and people which can clog our brains and leave us exhausted by the end of the day. Sometimes, we just need a break. Here are a couple of tips to slow down during the day to keep you focused and grounded.
Start Each Day with a 10 Minute Stretch or Meditation
Often, when the alarm goes off, we might snooze it a couple of times before actually getting up to mosey on into the bathroom to brush our teeth and get ready. However, using the first 10 minutes of your day to make a mind/body connection can help you stay awake and focused throughout the day. Don’t know how to do yoga? There are thousands of websites and videos that you can pull up in the morning (or the night before) to get you flowing. Not really into yoga? That’s okay, too. Try meditating by just sitting or lying still and focusing on your breathing. You don’t even have to get out of bed for that one!
(NOTE: Let's us help you start your day off right. Check out our article on the "5 Ways to Upgrade Your Morning Routine.")
Eat Meals with No Distraction
That’s right – put your phone down, turn the TV off, put your work away, and just focus on eating. You’ll be surprised by how much more you can taste, how much slower you’ll eat, and how relaxed you’ll feel. Even if you’re with friends, focus on enjoying the company instead of posting your dinner on Instagram. Focus on being present in the moment so that your body can fully enjoy the food and you can have some time to be away from distractions.
Take a Walk
This is a great way to de-stress, get moving, and get recharged. You don’t have to be gone for long; just take a stroll by yourself to get a change of scenery and relax the mind. If you know of a cool place to go that has a nice view, even better! Walk to that spot and take in all of your surroundings. Whether it’s five minutes, ten minutes, or an hour, anytime you’re gone will allow your body and mind to relax.
Book a Massage
Yes, treat yourself! Having a massage literally forces you to slow down. For a whole hour (or hour and a half), you’ll have no distractions, no phone calls, no one bothering you, and you can fully enjoy every moment of taking time to yourself. Be sure you drink a lot of water after as well to flush out toxins and, of course, stay hydrated.
Don’t Forget to Breathe
It’s easy to forget that a deep breath can really help to recharge you. Take a deep breath in through your nose followed by a deep exhale through your mouth (note: closing your eyes helps, too). Even if it’s just one deep breath, it can mean all the difference for slowing down your mind and body to really focus on the breath and then later to focus on your day.