Have you ever just wanted to press “pause”? These days it seems we’re all crazed multi-taskers who rush from one item on our to-do list to another, rush through meals, and, in general, pack our schedules way too tightly. What do you say we just s-l-o-w d-o-w-n. The slow living movement is about doing just that.
Slow Living Explained
What is slow living? First, let’s talk about what slow living is not. It’s not about being lazy or procrastinating. It’s not about dragging your feet or putting things off. Proponents of slow living are not anti-success or anti-productivity, but they do encourage us to define success and productivity in our own terms. Slow living is about living your life deliberately and with purpose, and that includes all areas of your life … how you eat, travel, work, exercise, and even how you relate to others, including God. It’s about aligning your life choices with your values and choosing quality over quantity. Instead of striving to do more faster, slow living encourages you to do things better.
It originated in Italy and was birthed out of the 1980s slow movement as a reaction and push-back against the fast-food culture. As people realized that “faster” rarely means “better,” the movement gained traction and expanded beyond food to all parts of life, even fashion and parenting. Slow living enjoyed a big surge during the pandemic when many people re-assessed their values and priorities. In fact, from 2019 to 2020 the number of videos on YouTube with slow living in the title increased four times!
Embracing slow living doesn’t mean you go off-grid or swear off technology, but it does mean a slower daily rhythm and one that incorporates some intentional daily pauses (can I have an AMEN!). It does mean mindful eating, giving your loved ones your undivided attention, and going deeper into your work instead of flitting around like a wild rushaholic butterfly. The bottom line? Slow living is about living at a pace of your choosing, not one that is dictated by societal expectations or other external forces.
Advantages of Living Slow
As many people have embraced the idea of stopping to smell the roses, researchers have identified several benefits of this lifestyle choice.
Reduces stress and feelings of overwhelm
Slowing down gives your nervous system room to breathe and a chance to reset, which, in turn, lowers your primary stress hormone, cortisol. Making fewer commitments allows you to manage your time and energy more effectively. Results from a study published in 2022 showed that people following an eight-week mindfulness (a key component of slow living) program experienced “time affluence,” or the feeling of having enough time in their lives. The result of those positive feelings led to much higher levels of life satisfaction and higher overall well-being. The takeaway is this: slowing down and focusing on one task at a time reduces stress and promotes calm.
Improves mental clarity
Building in some pause breaks into your day gives your brain a chance to process, reflect, and focus. And having this “brain space” can lead to greater creativity, better decision-making, and an improved overall sense of well-being. Researchers in 2011 found this to be true when they reported that mindfulness practices can improve executive attention, working memory capacity, and other executive functions.
Improves relationships
In slow living, connecting with people takes precedence over convenience. It’s no big surprise that taking time to have meaningful conversations and shared experiences deepens the bonds in all your relationships – friends, family, and romantic partners or spouses. In a study published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, researchers reported that greater mindfulness (a key component of slow living) resulted in improved relationship satisfaction and better communication, even during conflict stress.
Supports sustainable choices
Slowing down allows you the time and clarity to realize the eco-impact of the choices you make. The link between mindfulness and ecological behavior makes sense, and research supports that connection. Scientists in a 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology reported that more mindful people tend to make healthier lifestyle choices, including more environmentally conscious behavior.
Enhances joy and fulfillment of purpose
When your values are at the core of your lifestyle, you naturally develop a better work-life balance and make time for what truly matters to you. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life!” This adage is never truer than in slow living. But it’s also true that mindfully reducing your pace and clearing out the clutter makes space for and opens the door to a more joyful and purpose-driven life.
How to Slow Down
There are many ways to live slower, e.g., reducing your number of commitments, working less and loving more, spending time with your pet(s), enjoying nature, spending time with God in prayerful meditation or by studying His Word, or connecting with friends. Maybe it’s something as simple as unplugging from your workday for 15 minutes, closing your eyes and just breathing. We’d like to make another openly biased suggestion…how about spending time in the GVEC energy chamber? With us, you have at least two hours to step outside your busy life, relax in a super comfy recliner, sort out your priorities, unpack your hectic schedule and overwhelmed mind, and reconnect with family or friends if they join you. Or you could just take a nap. How’s that for slow!
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