Do you find that you’re overwhelmed with stress and anxiety? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Life can certainly be overwhelming at times. Sometimes to maintain sanity, it’s essential that we take some steps to slow down and re-focus ourselves.

Intentionally slowing down your life means taking time to enjoy your mornings instead of rushing off to work.

It means, taking the time to be present in every moment instead of being controlled by your electronics.

It means gaining control of our life and dictating how we spend our time ourselves, rather than being pulled and influenced by external factors.

Most importantly, slowing down is an intentional choice to minimize the distractions in our lives so that we can smell the roses and breathe the fresh air again. The ultimate goal in slowing down is for us to increase our happiness by intentionally removing the distractions and becoming more appreciative of what we have and who we are. However that’s a big transition to make and it certainly doesn’t happen over night. Here are some changes you can begin to implement to walk the path towards a slower, but more meaningful life!

Give Yourself Permission.

The first step to slowing down is to give yourself permission. Sometimes people feel guilty about slowing down their lives, but understand that it might be a necessary in order to live a higher quality of life. Give yourself permission to take a break - It’s okay.

“Slowing down is sometimes the best way to speed up.”

-Mike Vance

Do Less.

It’s hard to slow down when you are trying to do a million things. Instead, make the conscious choice to do less. You are the only one who is in control of what you commit to. If doing less means saying no to certain things, then do it! You don’t need to be filling every free space on your calendar with activities and commitments. It’s okay to say no!

Be Present.

In order to slow your life down, it’s important that you get your thoughts under control. If your thoughts are occupied on things you need to do, something that has already happened, or something that may happen then you won’t be able to be present in the moment. Instead, the next time you find your thoughts wandering, gently bring yourself back to the present by focusing on what is going on in front of you. This habit takes practice, but will change your life if you can master it!

Disconnect.

So much of the anxiety in life comes from the electronics we are wired to. Social media, work email, and the constant notifications can take a huge tole on our mental health and make us feel like there is always something to do. To combat this, set certain times throughout the day where you completely disconnect by turning your phone off.

Get Outdoors.

Many of us spend the majority of our time in an office, in a car, or in our homes. Rarely do we really get a chance to get outdoors. Spending time outdoors daily can help clear the mind and relax your soul.

Do Tasks Slower.

In order to slow down, try doing things slower. Rather than rushing to finish breakfast before work, set the alarm a few minutes earlier and cook yourself a nice breakfast. Your morning sets the tone for the entire day, so rushing will naturally make your day feel like its speeding out of control.

Single-Task.

The opposite of multi-tasking. Focus on one thing at a time. When you feel the urge to switch to other tasks, pause, breathe, and pull yourself back. 

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