10 Easy Ways to Slow Down
With the holiday season here, I’ve been extra intentional about slowing tf down after the whirlwind of a year I just had. Slowing down for me is something that is difficult since I love to get shit done and move onto the next task/project, but I remind myself that slowing down is actually so beneficial to my overall mental and emotional health, and how important it is to sit and acknowledge my thoughts and give them the space they deserve. Slowing down provides me with so much more clarity than when I’m overwhelmed with stress, and allows me to be present and appreciate more moments in life. Over the years I’ve done a lot of work on what slowing down actually looks like for me, but here are my 10 favorite easy ways to slow down while at home.
1. Count your breaths
Lately I’ve been loving counting my breaths. It’s such a quick and easy way to chill myself out, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on counting something gives me something easy to concentrate on and also slows my heart rate down, and is especially helpful during anxiety attacks.
2. Unplug
I’ll admit that I love social media. I love doing research for brands, photography, fashion, mental health and self-care practices, social justice discourse, dog videos, the possibilities are endless with this tool! However, once in a while I get anxious with the overflow of information, and we all know how overwhelming it can be. Taking social media breaks or even breaks from my phone has been super helpful with my anxiety as well. Leaving my phone in the other room for the day or however long you need and purposely separating myself from screens is so awesome for my mental health. It’s a nice reminder to just be with myself to move my body, read a book, be outside with my dog, or even just laying on my back and singing along to my favorite record.
3. Go on a walk (in nature if possible!)
Living in Oakland, I have access to some pretty amazing nature to take hikes in, but taking a walk anywhere and getting outside can just as nice! Luckily I get to walk my dog every day, and when he’s not being a handful it’s great to be able to notice and enjoy the views. Even if it’s just a 10-15 minute walk, I’d recommend having your favorite playlist or podcast ready to go, or even go without headphones and notice the sounds around you. Walking also burns calories, strengthens your heart, and improves your mood, just in case you needed more reasons to go! Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or need a break, take a walk around the block real quick and I promise you’ll feel better.
4. Write in a journal
Ok this one is another one that is difficult for me, but also one of my favorites. During senior year of high school, my english teacher would have us start class by free writing in a journal for 10 minutes straight. The only rule was that your pen couldn’t stop moving. You’d be surprised at what comes out when your hand doesn’t stop. Feelings I didn’t think I had have come out of me when I free write, and it’s always such a rewarding and relieving experience for me and VERY therapeutic. You can also try different journal prompts if you’re unsure what to write about, but more on that topic in a later post ;)
5. Use your kitchen
Cooking normally isn’t my thing, I’m not the person who can look in the fridge and be like “ok I have lettuce, peanut butter, and wine, let me whip something up!” Nope! However when I do decide to look up a recipe and make something, I love how much it forces me to be in the here and now, because god forbid I forget to add water in the beans and they burn (sorry mom!) Cooking is truly a science, and at least for me it requires my full presence and attention. Even if you’re like me and you’ll never be on Master Chef, making something as simple as a cup of tea to ground you and keep you present is always nice. Closing your eyes and noticing the scents, flavors, and temperature of your favorite drink can help keep you present and comfort you as well.
6. Make a list
How many times in a job interview have you said you were great at multi-tasking? While it’s helpful in the capitalist world, multi-tasking takes so much brain power and is exhausting! In the era of Coronavirus, a lot of us are now forced to work from home while making sure out homes are functioning, essentially having to keep up and pay attention to two giant tasks at the same time. How would it feel if we just didn’t let our brains scatter everywhere and half ass a bunch of things at once? I like to make lists, and even though it sounds so simple it’s actually super helpful for me to focus on one thing at a time. Each task gets my full attention, and it feels really good to check each of those things off. They can be as easy as “take medications, do yoga, eat breakfast.” Listing out my to-do’s helps me get in the mindset and set the intention to be fully present in what I’m doing.
7. Do a puzzle
Puzzles seem like they’ve been a big hit this year, and I can tell you first hand how helpful they actually are. Earlier this year when there was a lot of anxious energy in my house, my husband and I decided to get a 1000-piece puzzle just to have out and occasionally work on. Puzzles are one of those activities that are calming but also require some brain power, and helps you shift your focus from whatever is making you anxious to completing it. I know for some people, activities that require trying to clear your mind of any thoughts make them more anxious, so a puzzle is a great alternative to slow your mind down and help you focus on one thing.
8. Color in a coloring book
One year for Christmas I got gifted a zen coloring book* with the most intricate beautiful patterns to choose from, and it was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I loved coloring as a kid, and something about staying within lines and choosing my own color palette is still so soothing for me. I’m not an artist and don’t draw, so having a pattern that you help bring to life still provides me a sense of accomplishment while staying present.
9. Set an alarm to take intentional breaks
If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to get sucked into your every day workload. If I didn’t take breaks, I’d sit in my chair for hours without getting up to move. Taking 5-10 minute breaks every hour to step away from my work area provides more clarity and insight to my work, and also can potentially inspire new ideas. Not taking breaks from work is like running on a treadmill: you’re tired but you haven’t gone anywhere. Setting an alarm reminder to get up and away from my desk keeps me feeling refreshed and not burnt out from my work-from-home life.
10. Water your plants
As a newish plant mom, watering my plants is something that makes me feel like I’m nurturing life inside my home. Even though plants can’t talk to you, I love the act of watering them and telling them how much I love them and how much they mean to me. They’re beautiful and provide life to your home, so slowing down and watering them is an easy way to show them (and yourself for maintaining them) love and appreciation.
As we reach the end of 2020, I hope that a slower lifestyle is something we can carry into the new year. Being rudely awakened by COVID-19 to hold my horses and let go of control ended up being a really good thing for me. The reminder to slow down this year taught me a lot of new things about myself that I didn’t know before. It allowed me to really think about what I wanted in life long term, and helped me appreciate all the good things in my life even more despite the kind of year it’s been. This holiday season and onward, I hope you’re able to slow down and enjoy more moments with yourself and your loved ones.
