Give Yourself the Gift of Slowing Down

Today I want to talk about a priceless gift that you can give yourself right now.

It's the GIFT OF SLOWING DOWN.

Is that something on your list this year? I’m guessing if you’re on a website called Let's Slow Down that this might be something you want in your life. And you can have it, my friend. With some basic mindset shifts it can be yours. Doesn’t that sound nice? So let’s talk about a few ways you can start immediately, because I want you to come away with easy, actionable ways to incorporate this into your life. It’s fun to think about this and dream about it, but let’s actually make it happen! I was reading a book recently and the author talked about how many of us live life like this: ready. Aim. ready. Aim. ready. Aim. But we never fire. We ruminate on it forever and don’t act. So let’s do it. Let’s Slow Down. Make it a new reality. 

Now, depending on what your life currently looks like, slowing down can look very different from person to person. Not a problem. Start where you’re at, and take small steps towards your goal. As you do this regularly and start incorporating slowing down into your daily life, changes start to happen. The cerebral cortex, which carries out essential functions of your brain, starts working and the brain begins to create 'software' for your desired change - actually laying down new nerve pathways and building new habits. It’s fascinating. And it works.

So, think about a few things you can do that would be the most impactful, and start. I’ll make a few suggestions and then I’m sure you’ll think of a million other little things that can be catalysts for you.

Let’s start with just how you move through your day. How you carry yourself. 

How are you carrying yourself now? Are your shoulders tense? Jaw? Brow? Maybe you’re holding your breath? White knuckling the steering wheel as you drive? 

I catch myself doing a lot of this without even realizing - so consciously reminding yourself to relax is a good place to start.

Take a few deep belly breaths and feel everything settle, and relax the muscles in your face.

It feels good. And makes a difference right away.

If you have extra time, you can do a short guided meditation, which I find very helpful. There’s lots of apps, I use insight timer and sometimes as little as five minutes can really make a difference.

Also, just telling yourself you’re not going to rush around today.

Giving yourself a little margin to get places - driving in a more relaxed way rather than leaving yourself the exact amount of time (or a few minutes less that you vow to make up once you hit the highway). You’d be amazing at what a difference this can make. You have time to be a friendly driver to others on the road, let someone in front of you who is trying to make a tough turn, stop for those people waiting to cross - which we’re always supposed to do -  things like that. Just not feeling rushed feels amazing. At home or at work - walking around more relaxed and knowing you have the time you need to get everything done, and that it will all work out. Take some of the less is more approach if you have too many to-dos on the list. Just pick the important ones. You don’t need to be frazzled and moving at 110% all the time.

Take Breaks.

Schedule regular breaks during your work hours to refresh your mind. Use this time to step away from your workspace and engage in activities that help you relax. You’ll find yourself taking the extra minute to smile or chat with a co-worker or store clerk or your kid or spouse, noticing more things - that were always there, just flew under the radar -  such as the beautiful sky or a pretty bird that stops to say hello by your window, and appreciate these little things that make up your life. 

Slow down when you’re eating. 

Enjoy a meal, don’t just fast food it on the go. Your body , your digestive system, will thank you and you’ll be able to savor your food more.Take time each morning to have a leisurely cup of coffee or tea and think about how you want your day to go. Set some intentions, start moving on your terms, at a pace you choose - not one you’re thrown into in a frenzy. 

Have clear times for work and stick to them. Establish a Routine.

Set regular working hours to create a sense of structure. Having a routine helps your mind distinguish between work time and personal time. Creating clear boundaries between work and personal life is essential for overall well-being. Don’t blur those lines! That email or text can wait. You’re relaxing and living your life. And you’re allowed to do that. By turning “work” off you’re giving yourself permission to be present in the rest of your life, which after all is the more important part, right? Establish rituals that signal the end of your workday. This could be something as simple as shutting down your computer, turning off your work phone, or going for a short walk to decompress or maybe listening to something uplifting on your ride home. I think many times, especially now that so many of us work from home, there really is no definitive separation between work and the rest of our life. But you can change that and you’ll benefit from that peace of mind immediately. Just telling yourself you’re done for the day, sets the tone for being at home and living life for yourself and your family. Doing things for fun and enjoying experiences that do not revolve around your work life are super important and essential for finding balance.

Slowing down will invigorate you - and give you the space you need to think and find clarity. This in turn will motivate and encourage you and really help you find and stay on the path you intentionally choose, not the one you haphazardly end up on when you’re running on that hamster wheel 7 days a week.

It can change your life. It will change your life.

So if you give yourself one gift this Holiday Season. I hope that you’ll give yourself the gift of slowing down. It really is an incredible gift. It’s a priceless one, and better yet it will show up instantly and free, right now if you let it.

You just have to let it in.

You get to decide when you're ready. And if you have trouble with that, because it can be really hard, let me know. I’m here and I would love to help. 

Be well everyone!