SLOW DOWN AND PACE YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY

January 15, 2018 by Renee Tavoularis

With the advances technology is constantly making — most for the better, we might be losing our ability to wait and take things slowly, especially the journey to wellness. A latte awaits your arrival at Starbucks if you order ahead online. Amazon Prime not fast enough? Try Amazon Flex same day delivery to avoid any wait time at all.

There is a way to keep up with our quickly moving culture, but also to remain mindful and realistic setting goals and intentions for ourselves. When it comes to wellness, quick and easy just doesn’t apply. But this is not bad news. 

We have been sold many quick fixes over the years from diet pills to work out fads, trend diets and quick procedures, all vowing to hold the key to your beauty and well-being. Approaching your goals for a healthier lifestyle require a long-term vision with the understanding that lasting changes take time and require more than short-term solutions.

Here are five ways to approach wellness as a well-paced journey, while enjoying yourself along the way.

1. KEEP CALM + BREATHE ON

You don’t need to be in yoga class to be focus on your breath. The importance of mindful breathing is well documented, and many mental health professionals assert you can lower your anxiety just by taking a few deep breaths. Practice this when you’re feeling anxious, rushed, or discouraged by how “slowly” you are making progress.

2. SLEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY

If losing weight, purifying your skin, or improving our overall quality of life is a main goal, sleep may feel counterintuitive, but the world will keep spinning whether you sleep or not, so why not be adequately rested so you can maximize each day. 

When we deprive ourselves of much needed sleep, our internal systems suffer, our minds are foggier, and we actually lower our resistance to the things that will thwart our good intentions. Important, regenerative work is being done while we rest, so lay your head down without guilt because everything from your skin to your soul will benefit from those restful hours.

3. CONTROL YOUR CALENDAR

Resist our culture’s need for speed and take it slow. Give yourself ample time for your morning routine and plan your schedule with adequate time to avoid the frenzied rush. Build time into your schedule for menu planning and shopping so when it’s time to eat, you know exactly what you’re doing.

Don’t schedule every waking minute of your day — leave margin for the unexpected and for proper self-care.

4. FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In our rushed routines, it’s easy to dismiss being a mindful eater. Thankfully, we are seeing a “slow food” revolution happening to counter the age of quick eating on the go. Essentially, it’s an awareness of where your food comes from, and a rejection of processed options that may be faster and easier. It doesn’t mean your meals have to be elaborate, it simply means they need to be whole, pure and enjoyed in a relaxed setting.

5. DON’T FORGET TO PLAY

We might be adults with heaps of responsibility, but we still need to stop and enjoy ourselves from time to time. When was the last time you unplugged from your many devices to enjoy an activity outdoors? Or spent time with a friend or loved one or picking up a hobby you once loved but have felt too busy to pursue or prioritize. We can’t underestimate the sheer pleasure of doing something that makes us happy, and the positive effect that has on our overall sense of well-being.

If you are on a wellness journey, you likely want to “get there” quickly. But remember that wellness is not a destination, but a personal continuum that cannot be rushed. True transformation comes from long-term consistency and deliberate practices. Moving at a different pace from the dizzying speed around us is hard, but it is more important than ever if we wish to be balanced in an increasingly chaotic world.
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