Living a slow-paced lifestyle can be a beneficial way to reduce stress, improve your well-being, and enjoy life more fully and be in the present moment. But what exactly is a slow-paced lifestyle and why would someone choose to live this way, against the grain of society's faced-paced hustle culture?
Well, for me, it’s easy because my body can’t keep up with society's hustle culture and while my mind absolutely wants to “keep up with the Joneses”, the more I try, the more I fail. Once I realized this, with the support of my healthcare team, I couldn’t keep doing the definition of insanity, and I knew I needed (and wanted) to embrace a new way of living that would work for my body.
You may recall in one of my first blog posts, I shared my journey, and revealed that I had cycles of burnout that lead to mental health crises which had happened at least four times during my adult life. One way to help reduce these cycles is changing the pace at which I operate aiming to find balance. This would eliminate the rollercoaster of ups and downs to help keep things steady and keep my body balanced, rested and aligned.
The goal of living this way is to reduce the amount of frequent infections and illnesses acquired, lessen the amount of flare ups that contribute to headaches and migraines, support with calming the nervous system, and overall listen to my body first and support with rewiring my brain to allow for more intentional living.
Here are some tips to help you slow down and live a more intentional, mindful life:
Prioritize rest and relaxation: Schedule regular downtime into your week, whether that means taking a nap, reading a book, or simply sitting quietly and doing nothing. Make time for the things that bring you joy and help you unwind.
Simplify your schedule: Say no to commitments that don't align with your values or bring you happiness. Be realistic about how much you can actually do in a day or week, and don't overcommit yourself.
Practice mindfulness: Take time to be present in the moment and focus on your surroundings. Engage in activities that require your full attention, like gardening, cooking, or crafting.
Connect with nature: Spend time outside in nature, whether that means taking a walk, going for a hike, or simply sitting in a park. Connecting with the natural world can be a great way to slow down and find peace.
Practice gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on the things you're grateful for, whether that's a supportive friend or family member, a beautiful sunset, or a delicious meal. Gratitude can help you appreciate the present moment and find joy in the little things.
Slow down your daily routines: Take time to savour your meals, enjoy your morning coffee, or indulge in a relaxing bath. By slowing down your daily routines, you can cultivate a sense of mindfulness and intentionality in your day-to-day life.
Living a slow-paced lifestyle doesn't mean you have to give up productivity or achievement.
Rather, it's about finding a balance between productivity and rest, and learning to appreciate the present moment!
Once I realized it’s about committing to less so that I can enjoy more, and once I started to see the results of living this way, it became easier to settle into a life that was wildly different from the life I had always known and was pushed to conform to.
We live in very uncertain times, but what isn't uncertain is the now, and while everything around us is changing, one thing that isn’t, is being present. Enjoying the now is powerful and has helped me immensely as I live each day, day-by-day and sometimes moment-by-moment.
In my next blog, I discuss what acupuncture is and how to find relief from its ancient Chinese practice. In the meantime, let me know what questions you have about slow-paced living and if you think your body would benefit from slowing things down.
Stay well,
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