The Benefits of Slowing Down
by Nanci Bradley
Life often moves in cycles – ups and downs, busy and slow periods – and we can often get lost in the stress of anticipating the next stressful period. Part of us believes that by placing the pressure on ourselves now, maybe we can not get blindsided later.
So instead of taking advantage of life slowing down, many of us instead fill the hours, trying to outrun whatever crisis may be ahead.
This looks different for every person, depending on their history and circumstances. Maybe you constantly need to check your finances, or feel that you need to do everything on your to-do list before you are allowed to rest.
Procrastination
Now, some of you may be thinking ‘this doesn’t relate to me, I actually take too much time to relax. Instead of doing the work I should be doing, I procrastinate!’
But the thing about procrastination is that ironically it is not particularly restful. It is often just as stressful as not being able to stop and rest at all. When you are procrastinating something, are you actually enjoying what you are doing to supposedly ‘relax’? Or are you just berating yourself for not doing ‘what you should be’?
Your body can be laying on the couch, but if your mind is simultaneously spinning with everything you ‘should’ be doing mixed with self-hatred for not doing it. In actual fact, you may be harming your body/soul in a similar way to all the people out there who are constantly on the go.
Trust
The key thing to remind yourself during these times is that you are a capable person. You may not be able to see it right now, but if you think back to all of the circumstances that you managed in the past, it will quickly become clear that you have something in you that can rally in times of crisis.
I invite you to write down some of these circumstances and the traits that pulled you through them.
Maybe you are an excellent problem solver, maybe it was your emotional intelligence and ability to read the room, maybe it was sheer resilience and determination, maybe it was just that inherent survival instinct telling you to take one step forward.
Write everything down – all these little pieces that make you inherently capable of dealing with any crisis that may appear in your life, even if you don’t feel it at the time.
Place trust in yourself, your capability and your Higher Self, that you will always have everything you need within yourself.
Blockages
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if slowing down is good – if it is what we need at this moment – or if it is self sabotage holding us back.
Determining this requires a great deal of introspection and reflection, because at the end of the day, you know yourself better than anyone else. Even if you are not on the best terms with yourself at the moment, you have the potential to build a better relationship with yourself.
So, sit with yourself in silence for 5-20 minutes, and ask yourself ‘am I blocking myself in this situation?’
See what images, circumstances and memories come to mind, listen to what your inner voice has to say about it. The answer may not become clear immediately, or even on your first attempt. But I invite you to keep trying, writing down what comes up and puzzling out what your subconscious is trying to communicate.
Suggestions
Now, it is one thing to know that something is a pattern for you – and it is another to change it. Sometimes they go hand in hand, awareness making it easier for you to notice and change behaviour if you begin falling into old patterns.
But sometimes, we have no idea of where to start.
My first suggestion is affirmations and mantras. Whenever you notice your mental process berating you for not working hard enough, have a couple of affirmations on hand to say. Some ideas could be:
- ‘I am allowed to relax and rejuvenate so that I can give my best to the tasks ahead.’
- ‘I trust myself to survive and thrive in all possible futures.’
- ‘I breathe, I let go of all stress, and give myself permission to switch off.’
But I invite you to create your own, based on your specific triggers and responses. I would invite you to phrase them in the positive, if possible, for example ‘I am relaxed’ rather than ‘I am not stressed’. This makes it clearer to your subconscious the state you want to be in.
My second suggestion is to breathe and acknowledge. When you notice you are resisting resting, in whatever form it takes, begin breathing deeply and slowly. And then congratulate yourself for all you have done thus far – big or small – and acknowledge that you are allowed to rest now.
Finally, find an accountability partner! We often think of holding ourselves accountable for completing goals, such as exercising more often or eating better. But what if you did the same to allow yourself to slow down? Choose someone who knows you well and will notice if you fall into old habits. Then ask them to gently (or harshly depending on what you need) remind you to stop and rest when you need it.
Conclusion
The norm is becoming busier and busier, especially living in the city. There is often very little time in life to slow down and live in the present, so take advantage of it where you can find it. Give yourself permission to enjoy your time of rest.
Begin your journey today!
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