Taking Down Time Now

How many times do you wait until you are at max output before you decide it's time to pause, slow down, rest or relax?  How many of you don't build in a slow down day until your body forces you to by getting your attention through extreme fatigue or illness.

We Americans are notorious for moving at a pace, trying to get it all done and then some.  We eat fast, move fast, sleep little, and  drive fast  to accomplish as much as we can... until we can't.

I am the first one to say that I love being productive.  Not just busy to be busy, but fully scheduled and productive. 

I love the satisfaction of going, moving and doing.  "Get 'er done" has been my mantra for a long time.  And it largely has served me well... until it doesn't. 

My brain got conditioned to hustle when I was a kid. I grew up economically disadvantaged,  and If I wanted new clothes, or anything really, I needed to work for it. I rose to the occasion pretty successfully having my own business by age 11.

My single mom days also required some hustle... three kids, two businesses, zero family around to help... it was a go go go world for me then. 

Today, I love all that I get to do, and well, sometimes it still involves a lot of hustle.  The difference is now ( older and wiser) I schedule some down time.   Sometimes the down time is slowing down with a friend.  Sometimes the slowing down time is phone away  spending solo time, breathing, being, reflecting... 

And sometimes it is just about intentionally moving through my day at a slower pace.  Granted there are days where that can be more difficult to do, however I am intentional about where, when and how I can slow down.

Here's some ideas for you to not succumb to the proverbial rat race that characterizes our American way of life. 

1. Schedule your time off regularly.  Whether you use that time to play a round of golf, get a pedi, or take a walk in nature is up to you.  Just schedule it like you would an important meeting with your boss so that your slow down, relax or recreate time is scheduled. 

2. Take mini breaks throughout the day.  This might look like taking a 10 minute walk, doing some squats or pushups for 5 minutes, or making a lovely cup of tea or coffee.  The idea is more pauses. More deep breaths. More reminders to slow down and take your eyes and brain away from screens.  

3. Take a weekend trip at least quarterly.  Plan a solo trip, a girl's weekend away, a trip with your sweetie or a family adventure hiking or camping.  The idea is to not just wait for the big family trip that may or may not come but rather to make play, recreation and rejuvenation a regularly re-occuring event.

   
   

Taking down time, slowing down and / or  pause time matters.  It matters to our health, energy, motivation, immunity and more.  It's fun to plan something, whether solo or with someone else, and even more fun to execute the plan. 

Many people from other countries don't have the hustle rat race pace that we Americans just succumb to living. They have learned to slow down, savor food, relationships and health.  We could learn a thing or two from them.

Try out being more intentional about your quiet or slow down time.  Notice what it feels like. At first it may feel foreign to you. Sit with the discomfort of not being productive every minute.  Pause. Breathe. Enjoy the ease...