Khaberni - Many people spend their days rushing from one task to another in today’s fast-paced, bustling society, focusing on adhering to schedules and accomplishing as much as possible. According to The Simplicity Habit, although this approach is beneficial for productivity, it is not beneficial for anything else, and many could benefit from embracing the concept of slow living.
The idea is simply that living gently and with more care and awareness can help reduce stress and increase happiness.
One can start with small steps by integrating some slow living habits into their daily routine, and soon find that they are enjoying the small moments more than before.
1. Start the morning slowly
Many people get up at the sound of a loud alarm, start their morning routine automatically, with a quick shower, a cup of coffee, a light breakfast, and then they rush out the door on their way to their first appointment of the day. This is a guaranteed way to start the day energetically.
However, one might try morning habits to start the day more slowly, meaning, waking up a bit earlier and soon realizing that starting the day slower has its perks over a few extra minutes of sleep, through the following steps:
• Change the alarm time to be before sunrise to start the day smoothly and wake up more naturally.
• Engage in one or two self-care practices at the beginning of the day. Allocate a few minutes to journaling while enjoying a cup of coffee or eating breakfast outdoors, or think about three things you are grateful for while brushing your teeth.
• Avoid the temptation to grab the mobile phone the moment you wake up and turn off the television while preparing for a new day.
2. Enjoying the outdoors
Slowing down and appreciating the beauty around oneself costs nothing but time. It is a great way to add happiness and joy to the day. There are also physical and psychological health benefits associated with spending more time outdoors. One can exercise such as walking, jogging, or cycling. It is also possible to adopt a quieter, more relaxed approach such as reading a book on a bench in the park, enjoying an afternoon snack on a picnic blanket, or using binoculars to watch birds that can be spotted in the nearest nature reserve or on surrounding trees.
3. Reducing screen time
It's hard to deny that most societies have become more dependent on technology and screens than ever before. Phones are the lifeline for many, connecting them with information, resources, and each other. TVs have become a source of on-demand entertainment, and it may be hard to avoid them. Although completely eliminating technology and screens from one’s life may not be realistic, reducing them is possible and beneficial. To achieve this, one should be more aware of the amount of time spent on screens, as well as when they use them. Then set a reasonable goal and stick to it.
One can focus on screen-free activities, such as putting devices aside while eating. Setting technology use boundaries will help embrace a slower pace and enjoy the present moment more.
4. Allocating time for hobbies
The hard-working culture embraced by many today does not leave much time for doing things they love. On the other hand, the quiet life encourages prioritizing things that bring happiness - even if they are not productive in the traditional sense. One can read a book, try writing poetry, work with pottery, knit and embroider, learn how to arrange flowers, focus on practicing yoga, or volunteer for community service.
5. Practicing saying "no"
It is important to allocate time for relaxation, contemplation, and fun. Often, this means refusing commitments to create space and margin inside one’s life. There are some commitments that cannot be postponed - such as the jobs that ensure one’s financial stability. However, there are many other things that find their way into one's schedules, like social events and optional appointments or friends' requests. These can be nice but are not essential. Although refusing offers and requests may not be easy at first, with a little practice, one will be able to stand firm and keep calm more easily. Saying "no" is a complete sentence that does not need explanation or justification with excuses.
