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The idea of having a slow living lifestyle is becoming more and more popular because of people’s growing awareness of the unfulfilling nature of fast-paced life and participation in the rat race.
Prolonged stress can cause a number of health issues and seriously deteriorate your mental health. The societal obsession with getting ahead, climbing the corporate ladder, winning the rat race, etc. can be a very difficult mindset to get out of. Our whole lives we are measured, compared, and valued solely on our productivity and achievements.
However, step by step, a more meaningful, calm, and simple way of life can easily be achieved. Having a slow living lifestyle can be a very fulfilling thing to try out! Here are a couple ways you can get started.
Prioritize Mental Health
When it comes to simple living and mental health, the smallest things often matter the most. Many people chase happiness or chase wealth because they think it will bring them peace.
It isn’t the epiphany of the century to say that this is not the best way to look at it. It can be incredibly frustrating to be told that you should go on a walk when you open up about struggles with depression.
However, according to the American Psychological Association: “25% Percentage lowered risk of depression among adults who got the recommended amount of physical activity per week—about 2.5 hours of brisk walking.”
Bit by bit, creating a more enjoyable routine for yourself through small habits can have a tremendously positive impact on your wellbeing.
Wash dishes by hand
If you have the time and means to do so, try calmly hand washing your dishes. A slow living lifestyle can be achieved by doing something as simple as slowing down every day tasks that are usually urged to be faster by society and dishwasher salesmen.
Buddhist monks wash all of their dishes by hand. It can be used as a meditative and calming practice.
When you start viewing chores less as chores and more as relaxing and rewarding, unsurprisingly it is much easier to do them and not be so drained just by the idea of them.
Go on Leisurely Walks
One tip for this is don’t plan for a certain destination. Just let yourself peacefully wander/ explore a park or your neighborhood.
If you do want to plan a route, try not to have a certain time limit to get there. If you decide to walk somewhere you have to get to in a certain time, give yourself ample time so as to not feel rushed on the journey.
- “Don’t rush through it! Take your time and really appreciate what’s right in front of you.” – Perrito, Puss in Boots the Last Wish
Regularly going on walks can be one of the best ways to start more of a slow living lifestyle. Walks can improve creativity and help you to be more mindful and calm throughout the rest of your day.
Make Solo Date Plans
Do something to take care of and connect with yourself. If you’d love to have a picnic at the park, consider enjoying nature and sunshine in your own company. However, going with a friend or partner can also be very relaxing and is never a bad idea!
Maybe a night in to just relax is needed. A cup of tea and some time to yourself to unwind and unplug could be a perfect way to live more slowly and relieve unnecessary stress.
Have a Mindful Morning Routine & Cut Down Phone Usage
When you check your phone first thing in the morning, you can be bombarded with overwhelming or negative content (or both) right off the bat. Having a calm and peaceful routine after first waking up (no matter how short or simple it is), can set a wonderful tone for the rest of your day.
It is ok to get a bit bored. Social media and devices with constant easy dopamine have made boredom seem like the worst possible thing.
Social media and technology tend to lull us into a state of complacency and drain our creativity. It can be so difficult to pull yourself out of doom scrolling but taking necessary breaks from the bombarding opinions from all over the world does wonders for your mental health.
Here is a helpful article from The New York Times on ways to cut down phone usage.
Practice Sitting in Silence and/ or Meditation
The main aspect of having a slow living lifestyle is finding more ways to be more mindful and feel less rushed. It is hard not to feel overwhelmed when you have gotten so used to getting constant stimulation at all times.
Giving your mind and body a breather and being still can put into perspective how slow everything else is really going.
(insert link to Blog post “slow living quotes” here)
Meditation gets easier the more you practice and learn about it.
Practice Gratitude
One of the more well-known ways to practice gratitude can be starting a gratitude journal. You can use any notebook you have, but there are also some cute ones with prompts on Amazon like this one.
There are plenty of guided gratitude meditations on YouTube. These can completely refresh and turn around any negative energy you may be experiencing during a rough day.
Find an Excuse to Unplug Like a Crafty Hobby or Good Book
If you choose to go the book route but don’t have an idea of one to read, here are some recommendations that are perfect for this topic.
If you don’t have a clue on a hobby to start, here are a few hobby ideas.
- Crocheting
- Drawing/ painting
- Building
- biking/ hiking
Remember, don’t be scared to start something new! You can keep it private if you’d like, and there is no shame in discovering something isn’t for you!
Try Not to Multitask
Whenever possible, allow yourself to watch a movie or talk to someone with no other distractions. This will help allow you to fully live in the moment and appreciate the calmness (or energy) of the situation.
This can sometimes be easier said than done, especially with those who struggle with ADHD or other mental disorders. At the end of the day, do whatever you find is most beneficial for you! You can always experiment with little things like trying calming music instead of super intense to help you focus or relax.
Try to Stick to a Regular Sleep Schedule
Keeping a consistent sleep schedule enables your body and mind to have an internal clock and helps you to fall asleep easier and be less tired in the day. Prioritizing your sleep is a key element to improving your mental health.
Some things to try to help fall asleep faster are meditating before bed, having a nightly wind down routine, drinking some calming tea, trying melatonin, and breathing exercises.
Cooking vs Takeout or Fast Food
Similarly to taking more time to hand wash dishes, cooking your food can be a very fun and rewarding experience! It also tends to be much healthier versus the alternative option of a fast food restaurant.
When you spend the time and energy to cook your food, it is much easier to be grateful for it and more satisfactory when you are actually eating it. Plus, you will be improving a very worthwhile skill and learning new things!!
