Top

Her Digital Coffee

Lifestyle Blog

in Productivity, Wellness · ·

5 Simple Ways to Practice Slow Living

Slow living is a lifestyle that encourages mindfulness of our mind, body, and spirit. It introduces a slower approach to everyday aspects of life. We often miss precious moments because our minds are already on to the next thing. Slow living looks a little different for everyone, but the main idea is to train ourselves to focus on the present moment.

Many of us are living in a fast-paced lifestyle. Whether it’s constantly keeping our eye on the clock, stressing about deadlines, worrying about work, it leaves very little time for us to spend on ourselves. With a few changes to your lifestyle and routine, you can easily incorporate slow living into your life. Here are 5 ways you can practice slow living today.

1) Schedule breaks We prioritize scheduling important tasks, but one that we often overlook is scheduling breaks. Besides our scheduled lunch breaks, we tend to look for moments throughout the day that allow us to sneak away for a few minutes to relax, snack, and hydrate. Instead of relying on this method, schedule 10–15-minute breaks in between tasks to regroup and relax. By doing this, we are proactively avoiding burnout. 

2) Journal Journaling is an effective way to reconnect with yourself. It’s a practice that caters specifically to you and there is no right or wrong way to do it. You may use journaling as a tool to unleash your thoughts, focus on gratitude, revisit your goals, or manifest your desires. 

RELATED POST: 5 Reasons You Should Start Journaling

3) Limit screen time Many of us spend a considerable amount of time in front of a screen. If you are a blogger and content creator, it’s all we do! I’ve realized the importance of scheduling posts, tweets, Pinterest, and Instagram posts ahead of time. This applies to setting time aside for engagement as well. This allows me to enjoy some downtime away from social media to stay present. 

4) Do more of things you enjoy Start making time for activities that you enjoy. Whether it’s playing an instrument, learning something new, reading, redecorating, or painting. These creative hobbies help you stay focused on the present moment and give purpose. 

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

eddie cantor.

RELATED POST: Enjoy Free Certificate and Diploma Courses with Alison.com

5) Spend time outdoors Many of us have been spending more time indoors due to the pandemic. One of our priorities, especially when scheduling breaks, should be to go for a walk outdoors. Spending time in nature is incredibly healing and grounds your mind, body, and spirit. The fresh air and warm sunshine are a great mood booster and beneficial for our immune system. If you’re unable to go outside, open a window and allow the fresh air to circulate your home. 

6) Embrace the stillness I enjoy spending a few minutes each day embracing the stillness and silence around me. I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and focus on my surroundings. It’s such a small gesture, but it helps to ground you in the moment. I prefer small moments like these versus scheduling time for 5–10-minute meditations as it’s so simple and easy to do. 

I would like to spend the rest of my days in a place so silent, and working at a pace so slow, that I would be able to hear myself living.

elizabeth gilbert.

RELATED POST: 5 Ways to Practice Mindfulness

I hope this post inspires you to incorporate slow living into your life! What are some things you do each day that helps you remain present? Are there any other slow living tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Be sure to visit the wellness and productivity tag for similar posts.

Subscribe to Her Digital Coffee

Never miss a post! Subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Limiting screen time is something I really need to do, but just can’t seem to get around to it effectively. Thanks for this reminder to revisit that. Anyway, thanks for this post!

  2. I love to Spend time outdoors! It makes my mood fresh. The fresh air and warm sunshine are a great mood booster and beneficial for our immune system.

  5. I’ve never heard of ‘Slow Living’ before, but love the concept. You’re right about screen time. It’s so much a part of our lives, especially as a blogger. I aspire to your ability to plan ahead and schedule posts to help mitigate the time spent staring. I’m not there yet, but hope to get there soon. Given the time of year, it’s much easier to stay indoors than it will be when it’s nicer out. Most of the breaks I take are ‘mommy’ breaks, which is good, but doesn’t recharge me. I look forward to being able to spend more time outdoors in the next month or so. Thank you for introducing me to a new concept that I really do want to incorporate into my life.

    ~Cassie | letsgrowmom.com

    • Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Cassie! It took me several months to figure out a schedule that works to reduce screen time, and I’ll admit it’s not perfect, but it’s been helpful. I hope you get to spend more time outdoors as it starts to warm up. Best of luck with incorporating slow living into your life! Thank you for reading!

  7. Great tips, we definitely need to control the screen time. I’m going to start working on it. Thank you for sharing these great tips!

  13. Never heard of slow living. I like it. I do need to take time to enjoy the stillness and take breaks

  14. Limiting screen time plays a big role in how I approach life, as I love getting outside for a breath of fresh air and having time to spend listening to music or writing without the constant feel/need to check social media or waste time scrolling.
    Thanks so much for sharing this!

  15. Limiting screen time and getting outdoors really helps me to take a break and slow down! Wonderful post

  16. I think that embracing stillness is one of the most important things you can do – and that goes right along with scheduling breaks. I try my best to take time out of my busy workday to just pause and reflect, or even meditate for a bit. It helps me to just get out of my own head and focus on being present in the moment! Such a great post here!

    • Thank you Stephanie! Scheduling breaks puts us in the habit of putting ourselves first. Carving out time for a bit of meditation is wonderful. Thank you for reading!

  17. I loved this! I’ve been wanting to practice slow, intentional living and this came up! Definitely my sign to journal more and slow down. Thank for this!

  18. Wonderful post! I completely agree with every point, ever since incorporating slow living into my own life, my anxiety is near non-existence and I love it!

  19. Thank you for sharing this info about slow living. I definitely benefit from balancing busy times with relaxed times 🙂

  20. Thank you, I needed this, sometimes in the hassle and bustle of life we tend to forget to take things slow and enjoy the moment even a short 10 to 15 mins to take a break and unwind is good.

  21. These are good ways to practice and enjoy slow living. I’m now starting to believe that slow living is a good things. It helps you to reflect yourself. Plus, slow living doesn’t have to be lazy. You still can work on your dreams.

  22. This is a great post! I admit at times I struggle to practice slow living. Always running a mile a minute! But I do like to spend more time outdoors and journal. I seriously need to limit my screen time though. Thank you for sharing!

Her Digital Coffee's

Latest on Instagram