slow down and enjoy life - positivethinkingmind.com · appreciate your surroundings, enjoy your...
TRANSCRIPT
SLOW DOWN &
ENJOY LIFE
How to
Life moves a such a fast pace. It goes by so
fast we hardly have time to enjoy it and by
the time we realize it we're old and gray.
While we've invented technology to help
save time, we use that time to do more and
more things and in turn our lives are more
hectic than ever.
It Doesn't have to be this way!
Let's start slowing down and enjoying life. A
slower paced life means enjoying things.
Such as your morning instead of running off
to work in a hurry. Taking time to enjoy the
outdoors, actually focus and enjoy the person
you're talking to or spending time with.
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Putting aside that laptop or cell phone, it's
hard but we have to make a conscious effort
to make the choice of single tasking instead
switching between multiple tasks and not
really focusing fully on one of them.
Here's how to do it
1.) Do less
When you're doing a million things it's really
hard to slow down. Make a conscious
choice to do less. Focus on what's
important, what really needs to be done and
just let go of the rest. Put space in between
appointments and tasks so you can get
through your day at a more calmer pace.
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2.) Be present
Slowing down just isn't enough, being
mindful of what you're doing at the
moment. When you find yourself thinking
about something you need to do, or
something that's already happened, or
something that might happen, slowly bring
yourself back to the present moment.
Focus on what's happing now!
Focus on others, your environment, your
actions, and your breathing. This takes a lot
of practice but it's essential. Make a
conscious effort.
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3.) Disconnect
If you carry a cell phone around, which many
of us do, including me, take a moment to
shut if off. We've gotten so used to
checking in on Facebook, Twitter or what
ever that we don't even notice how
consuming of our time it is.
If you work on a computer most of the day
try to take some time to disconnect and
focus on something else. Always being
connected means we're subject to
interruptions.
All the information that's constantly
bombarding us just stresses us out. We're
at the demands of others.
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4.) Eat Slower
It's hard to slow down and focus when we're
constantly being messaged by others.
We all love eating, but cramming food down
our throats as quickly as possible is not good
for us. It can lead to the lack of enjoyment of
food and overeating.
Be mindful of each bite, appreciate the
smells and different flavors. Actually eating
slower doubles the benefit of feeling fuller
quicker on less food and we actually enjoy
our food and the taste more.
Try eating healthy food, use less salt and
sugar and less fried foods.
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5.) Appreciate Nature
Most of the time we're indoors. Working, in
our homes, car or train and we rarely get the
chance to go outside. Even when people are
outside they're on their cell phones.
Really go outside and enjoy nature. It's
proven to relax us. It helps with anxiety and
depression. Go out and take a deep breath,
find some water, a field, go for a walk in a
park or a trail.
Feel the sensations on your skin, the different
smells of nature, the leaves, the grass. Try to
do this everyday either by yourself or with
someone.
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6.) Focus on People
Many times we're spending time with people
such as our friends or loved ones and not
really present. We talk to them but get
distracted by our devices. We start thinking
about other things we have to do. We listen
but only about ourselves and what we need
to say next.
We all do this, but making a conscious effort
you can shut out the outside world and just
be present with the person you're with.
Spending good quality time with your friends
or family and truly listening can go a long
way. It means really connecting with them
and building a true relationship.
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7.) Drive Slower
Driving fast and speeding seems to be the
norm now a days. We're all guilty of it. It's
responsible for accidents, stress and wasted
fuel. Make it a habit to slow down when
you're driving.
Appreciate your surroundings, enjoy your
time alone and contemplate your life and the
things your passing on the road. Driving will
not only be much safer and enjoyable you
save some gas too! :)
8.) Find Pleasure in Anything
This is taking being present a step further.
Be fully present in everything you do and
enjoy every aspect.
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A simple thing as washing the dishes instead
of rushing through a seemingly boring chore.
Really take a second to feel the water, the
soap, the dishes. It can actually be
enjoyable if you think of things in a different
light.
Even washing the car, dusting, vacuuming,
laundry or anything you're doing. Life can be
so much simpler if you learn this simple
habit.
9.) Single Task
Focus on one thing at a time. When you
suddenly feel you need to do other tasks,
stop yourself. Take a minute and breathe.
Pull yourself back.
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10.) Breathe
When you find yourself stressing out and
speeding up just take a second to pause
and breathe. Take a couple more. Feel the
air coming into your body and feel the
stress leaving. By focusing on each breath,
it will help bring you back down to the
present.
Try taking a couple deep breaths now. :)
Here's some of the resources I like to help me
slow down:
- Calm (a free meditation website with
sounds and visuals
- Zenhabits (blog)
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