Learning The Art Of Slow Living!

Mental HealthJanuary 20, 2019

In an age where everyone is chasing something (read: dreams, goals, happiness, money, success, and so on), it is really hard to slow down. For many, slowing down would mean either delaying or losing the game, and nobody likes to lose. But now, people are slowly realizing that being in the race all the time can be extremely stressful and bad for the health. The Slow Food Movement was formed because of this, and it helped people be more mindful while eating. Not only did it take away the stress momentarily but also helped people get more nutrition from their meals. Slow living is a spin-off of that movement itself. Next time you feel 24 hours is not enough for your day, you need to slow down. Learn how to incorporate it into your daily life.

Create A List Of Tasks

Making lists can often help us sort our tasks while staying calm. Make two rows when making the list and label them as negotiable and non-negotiable tasks. Find out what the tasks you might have every day and put them in their respective categories. Ticking off non-negotiable tasks off the list will make you feel better as well as help you slow down since you know that the other tasks can wait or can be done by other people. Think of it: when people ask you about your day, how many of you will reply “busy”? Many, right! Truth is there is no credibility in being busy all the time. Entrepreneur Tim Ferriss once said, “If I’m ‘busy’ it is because I’ve made choices that put me in that position.” Hence, make the right choices, prioritize your work, and be in charge of your life.

Try To Find Quiet Moments In Your Everyday Life

Sometimes, days pass by in a haze, and it is hard to understand where we are spending all our time. Neither do we get time for self-introspection nor do we have time to spend with our family, but it is not too difficult to find some time if you really want to. For example, take the 45-minute commute to your office every morning. Instead of sticking to your phone throughout the trip, why not try and meditate? If you are thinking about the crowd and noises all around you, it wouldn’t matter as long as you follow the right steps. At night, instead of zoning out on your Instagram account, why not do something really creative? Knitting, cooking, reading, dancing, listening to music – these are some of the best therapeutic hobbies you can have.

Be Mindful While Eating

Since the movement started with food, it is a very important part of it, just like it is a very important part of our life. However, we have forgotten to eat just for the sake of eating. Now, we eat while watching TV or a film, or while browsing our phone or even a laptop. The Internet has helped us immensely no doubt, but we should also know when to get away from it and spend some internet-free time. Keep all devices and gadgets out of reach while eating and also sit down at the dining table to eat. Conversing with your family members while eating and savoring every bite is good for your mind and body.

Travel Slowly

Planning for a trip is super exciting, but have you ever felt that, in a rush to cover all the attractions and do all the activities, you missed soaking in the local culture, walking down the streets, or exploring a new cuisine? When discovering a new place, the attractions are definitely important, but if you want to be a traveler and not just a tourist, you would want to explore the local culture, talk to local people, find quaint roadside eateries – basically just take things slow. Give in to your wanderlust and go at your own pace – it is hard to enjoy a holiday when you are rushing!

If the art of slow living intrigues you, go ahead! Try one of these ways and slowly make changes in your life. One of the simplest ways to introduce it is by opting for yoga along with your regular workout session in the gym. Meditation works as well. Stop running for a while and try to find beauty in small things! In a world full of rabbits, be the tortoise!