Slow Down! How moving slower can make you happier

Slow Down! How moving slower can make you happier

It has been said before, that speed is the disease of our time. When we move at a hurried pace, we might get a lot done but many times it is not done as well as it could be with more focus. The slow movement is about slowing it all down. It can be slowing down the way that you drive, cook, eat, read, etc. With people in the United States, reporting the highest stress levels that we have ever seen, slowing down the pace may be the remedy. But how????

Slow down your driving
You don’t have to drive at a grandma pace but try going the speed limit and giving yourself more time to get when you need to be. The mindset of always doing “one more thing” before you get into your car and drive to your destination, can put unnecessary pressure on you to speed up your driving. Arrive early to your appointments and use your wait time to check your email/social media/etc. It can be very stressful to drive in a way where we are are passing and rushing to get ahead. Slow down and you might appreciate the music playing on your radio and the scenery of your drive a little more.

Slow down your cooking
While there is often a rush to get a meal to the table, make at least one meal a week where you enjoy the aspects of cooking fresh ingredients and a meal that needs some time and attention. It could be a fresh pasta sauce that simmers for hours and fills your home with the aroma of pure comfort food or a roasted chicken. Food nurtures connection and happiness and this is one way to feel the effects of slowing down to enjoy the pleasure of a home cooked meal.

Slow down your exercise
Do one exercise a week where you are not competing against yourself or listening to fast paced music in a gym. Just go for a walk outside and give yourself about an hour to walk and look. You may have a friend join you to enhance the power of slowing down and connecting with one another.