Embracing slow self-care: The art of taking time for yourself
Life is busy and oftentimes overwhelming. Work deadlines, maintaining friendships and making time for hobbies leaves us with little time left to think about slowing down and taking care of our body and mind.
However, self care is essential for our well-being. You’ve probably heard the saying self-care is a necessity not a luxury, and although slightly cliche, it is certainly true! Self-care allows you to prioritise your physical and mental wellbeing, creating a balanced and satisfying lifestyle.
Slow self-care
Taking it one step further is a phenomenon known as slow self-care, an approach to wellbeing requiring part-takers to deliberately slow down and set aside time in their lives where they can look inwards and focus on themselves, unhurried by the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Slow self-care differs from person-to-person based on how much time you have available to dedicate to it, but whether for 5 minutes or 5 hours, the act of intentionally setting aside this time to be present and focus on yourself constitutes as slow self-care. The concept is taken from the broader philosophy of ‘slow living’, which advocates for a mindful approach to life, where you act with intention (basically slowing down from the hustle and bustle to make time for the things you actually enjoy).
Want to know how to practise slow self-care? Here are my top 3 tips:
Practise mindfulness
Practising mindfulness is as easy as finding a quiet space, closing down your eyes and just focusing on your breath.
Try breathing in for 4 counts and out for 4 counts, and be amazed at how this allows you to tune out all the thoughts whirling around in your head, allowing you to just be present in the moment.
Setting aside a few minutes each day to be present with your mind and body leads to increased levels of relaxation. As an anxious girlie, I find focusing on my breathing can do wonders for slowing down my heart rate and making me feel more at ease when I am feeling particularly stressed out about something or I am looking to relax.
Connect with nature
Spending time outdoors really allows us to disconnect from the busy world and appreciate the beauty around us. Engaging with nature has a grounding and calming impact.
Just sitting on a park bench or taking a short walk around a local park can reduce stress levels. I often take my dog for a short lunchtime walk when I work from home, and I find this really allows me to de-stress and come back to work with a much more positive mindset.
Why not try leaving your phone in your bag or pocket and just taking in your surroundings, allowing your thoughts to just wander off as you take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature? Being fully present in an outdoor setting can really tune out our negative thoughts and allows us to feel a sense of inner peace.
Engage in creative expression
One often overlooked element of self-care is creative expression. Engaging in creative activities can have stress-relieving and therapeutic outcomes.
Creative activities often require concentration, helping us be present in the moment and immerse ourselves in the task at hand, causing the demands of daily life to take a back-seat whilst we get stuck into these activities.
Whatever you like to do to express yourself, whether it be writing in a journal, painting, or playing a musical instrument to name but a few examples, creative expression helps take our minds off our stressors and anxious thoughts, promoting relaxation and even a sense of accomplishment.
Taking intentional time for yourself in a world that demands constant attention helps to reduce stress, contribute to a more positive mindset, and promote relaxation.
Ultimately, engaging in slow self-care allows us to live a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle, taking care of our own wellbeing in a busy world constantly demanding more from us.
