With phones and the internet, it’s so easy for us to connect with people all over the world. Yet somehow, people struggle to connect with themselves and slow down. Schedules and demands grow every single day. We have the tools and assistance to help us with those “lists and tasks,” but we carry much of the burden ourselves. We feel like we need to do everything and it needs to be done NOW!
Unfortunately, we are setting ourselves up for a large possibility of issues. Anything from stress and anxiety to illness, marital problems, poor eating habits, lack of sleep and a poor work environment. These are just a few examples, but I hope they give you a little understanding of the importance of slowing down.
We are getting ready to head into the holiday season, so that will bring another addition of stress, full schedules and anxiety. As much as I talk about personal care and taking the time to slow down, I cannot stress the importance of these things.
Even with a hectic schedule and many demands, it’s important to take the time to slow down, smell the roses and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Not only will they allow for new opportunities, but there are so many benefits for the body and soul.
Look at these exercises and ideas as a guide. Incorporating just a few (or more) will lead to greater health and happiness.
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REMEMBER YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS: AS YOU LAY IN BED IN THE MORNING, THINK ABOUT THE GOALS YOU HAVE SET FOR YOURSELF AND ANY OTHERS THAT YOU RECENTLY DISCOVERED. WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE? TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS BEFORE STARTING YOUR DAY.
2. SIT WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED: BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR BED, TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER, RUN OUT THE DOOR OR HEAD INTO THAT MEETING THAT YOU’RE NERVOUS ABOUT, SIT AND RELAX. TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SIT IN A PEACEFUL PLACE WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED. TAKING A FEW DEEP BREATHES WILL HELP TO REDUCE YOUR ANXIETY AND BRING ABOUT A SENSE OF CALM.
3. TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE: THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE HELP FOR ME IN MY OWN LIFE. LIVING NEAR MOUNTAINS AND A LOT OF FARMS, IT’S VERY THERAPEUTIC TO TAKE THE “SCENIC ROUTE.” IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY, I RECOMMEND TAKING THE BACK ROADS, CATCH THE CITY SKYLINE, ENJOY THE FRESH AIR AND OPEN FIELD VIEW. EVEN IF IT ADDS ON AN EXTRA 5 OR 10 MINUTES TO YOUR COMMUTE, IT’S WORTH IT.
4. ALLOW MORE TIME: WE ARE USED TO A FAST PACED LIFE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY. ALLOW YOUR SCHEDULE AN EXTRA 15 TO 30 MINUTES WHEN YOU CAN. IT WILL HELP TO REDUCE STRESS, ALLOW YOU TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY A FEW MINUTES TO YOURSELF.
5. TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF: I HAVE THIS DISCUSSION ALL OF THE TIME WITH MY CLIENTS. THEY PUT EVERYONE BEFORE THEMSELVES, BUT THEY DO NOT REALIZE THAT THEY CAN GIVE BACK SO MUCH MORE WHEN THEY FEEL BETTER. IT’S OK TO TAKE TIME FOR YOU! THERE SHOULD NOT BE GUILT ATTACHED WITH CARVING OUT A LITTLE TIME WHEN YOU’RE BODY IS TELLING YOU TO RELAX AND SLOW DOWN. IT’S IMPORTANT TO SAVE SOME TIME FOR THOSE THINGS YOU LOVE. TAKE 30 MINUTES TO READ A BOOK, TAKE A RELAXING BATH, ROCK ON YOUR FRONT PORCH, MEDITATE OR RELAX IN A YOGA CLASS. TAKING TIME FOR YOU IS SO IMPORTANT!
6. CONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS: CREATING TIME TO SPEND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS VERY IMPORTANT. GRAB LUNCH AND CATCH UP WITH A FRIEND YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IN A WHILE OR DROP BY YOUR PARENTS HOUSE TO SAY HELLO. NOT ONLY IS IT GOOD FOR YOU, BUT I AM SURE IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO THEM TOO. EVEN A LITTLE CALL CAN MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY AND BRING HAPPINESS TO YOU AS WELL. WHEN YOU ARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BE PRESENT. WE ARE OFTEN ON OUR TABLETS AND CELL PHONES, AND WE ARE NOT FULLY PRESENT. BE PRESENT!
7. SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY YOUR MEAL: I KNOW OUR SCHEDULES AND CAREERS CAN BE VERY FAST PACED, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS TO SLOWING DOWN AND ENJOYING A DELICIOUS MEAL. NOT ONLY IS IT BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH, BUT IT ALLOWS THE ABILITY TO ENJOY THE TASTES, TEXTURES AND VARIETY OF FLAVORS. WHEN YOU INHALE YOUR FOOD, IT’S NOT GOOD FOR YOU AND YOU MISS OUT ON THESE WONDERFUL THINGS.
8. ENJOY NATURE: DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF THE SEASONS AND ALL THEY HAVE TO OFFER OUTDOORS. TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO STEP OUTSIDE AND BREATHE IN FRESH AIR. SOAK UP SOME SUN ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK AND TAKE A STROLL WITH A FRIEND OR CO-WORKER. MAYBE TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AND RELAX UNDER A TREE, WHILE YOU FEEL THE BREEZE AND RUN YOUR TOES THROUGH THE GRASS. NATURE HAS AN AMAZING WAY OF HELPING US REFRESH AND RELAX.
9. CUT PERSONAL INTERNET BY HALF (OR MORE): IN TODAY’S WORLD, WE ARE SO CONSUMED BY FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, LINKEDIN, WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD AND WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING. IT’S EASY TO GET SUCKED IN, WANDER AND OFTEN COMPARE OURSELVES TO OTHERS. THE INTERNET IS A WONDERFUL THING, BUT IT ALSO BRINGS MANY BAD HABITS. INSTEAD OF SPENDING SO MUCH TIME ONLINE, CUT SOME OF IT AND TRY A NEW HOBBY OR ADVENTURE. GO OUTSIDE AND MEDITATE OR READ A BOOK. LIKE SO MANY THINGS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO FIND A GOOD BALANCE…A HEALTHY BALANCE!
10. ALLOW TIME TO PRIORITIZE DAILY OBJECTIVES: EARLIER IN THE DAY, FOCUS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT TASKS TO BE COMPLETED. IF YOU HAVE A LONG LIST, PRIORITIZE AND DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE. IF YOU HAVE TASKS THAT YOU ARE DREADING, LIST THREE OR FOUR THINGS THAT YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING. GET THESE ITEMS DONE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. THAT ALLOWS FOR MORE TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO DO THE THINGS YOU ENJOY.
WE CAN MAKE EXCUSES ALL DAY AS TO WHY WE ARE SO BUSY AND DON’T HAVE TIME. SO, I ASK YOU….
DO YOU FEEL STRESSED?
ARE YOU EXHAUSTED DURING YOUR WORK DAY, ESPECIALLY AFTER LUNCH?
DO YOU FIND THAT YOU’RE EASILY IRRITATED AND DEFENSIVE WHEN OTHERS SPEAK TO YOU?
ARE YOU LACKING DRIVE AND MOTIVATION?
DO YOU FEEL DISCONNECTED FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS AND YOURSELF?
If any of these questions resonate with you, I recommend trying some of these tips. It’s pretty incredible how some simple adjustments and changes in the day can produce incredible results.
If you have tried any of these or have some ideas of your own, I welcome you to message me or comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Wishing you a happy and healthy day!