Run, run, run, hustle, hustle, hustle… We always aim to be *more* efficient, *more* productive. The focus is always on “more.” But in a world that seemingly moves faster and faster, sometimes it can beneficial to do the opposite: slow down. Be more intentional with our time. Focus just a bit on “less.” You don’t need to hit pause on everything, or move at a snail’s pace. Find small ways to bring some peaceful, quiet moments back into your life. A little quiet can be nurturing to the soul and the brain; let them rest, even if just for a moment at a time. When the world is pulling on you to keep up, here are 8 habits to live more intentionally!
Turn off phone notifications
This might seem counter-intuitive. After all, if you turn them off, how will you know when things come up? The default setting, however, on most apps is for notifications to be on. This means you’re getting notified about *every…little…thing.* Do you need to know when every individual email comes in? Or when someone “liked” your post on Facebook (or any other social media, take your pick)?
When we receive stimuli like a new notification, we are compelled to take a look. Even if we don’t, it can still take away our focus for more than just a few minutes. According to a study at the University of California, it takes an average of 25 minutes to come back to full focus after a distraction. If we’re constantly being interrupted by notifications, it can take a significant toll on our productivity. Being bombarded by so much constant stimuli is also cause for anxiety. When we focus on fewer things vying for our attention, it’s easier to be more calm.
The solution: turn *off* notifications on your phone, except for the *absolute necessities.* (For me, this means phone calls, messages, and calendar appointments.) You can also set your phone to Do Not Disturb and allow only notifications for specified contacts to come through during a given time. I’ve been loving the new Apple Focus feature; when you turn this on, it works similarly to Do Not Disturb, and stops all notifications across all your Apple devices until you turn off Focus time. Not seeing the notification banners come through or little badge numbers on top of phone icons offers such…relief…to a cluttered mind. It’s simply less to deal with.
Put down social media
It’s no secret social media can be draining on your time and your emotional energy. Deciding to reduce your social media consumption can be a great way to feel yourself perk back up. No distractions of wanting to see every little thing going on with your hundreds of friends. No jealousy of others who seem to have everything going perfectly. No negative comments bringing you down. None of the discord. Plus you’ll get back all that time you typically spend scrolling per day. (Trust me, it’s more than you think. One look at Apple’s Screen Time feature is all it takes to convince.)
If you’d like tips on how to detox from your smartphone and social media, check out this article!
Say yes to yourself
Do you often say yes to others when they ask something of you? It’s wonderful to always want to help; this is an admirable trait. You want to be there for everyone. But it’s also good to be there for yourself. Picture your inner self as an actual person, asking you patiently, quietly: “Can I have some time with you too?” This person doesn’t request much of you, but rather quietly waits on the sidelines. If this were your significant other or a loved one, you likely wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. So don’t forget to say yes to yourself too.
Know your limits
No one is truly Superman or Superwoman (no matter how much we might want that cape). This means knowing your bounds. It can be so tempting to try to fit more in; as I said above, we all want to increase productivity. However, don’t try to fit too many things into a tiny space of time; something will end up taking the burn and wreaking havoc on your state of mind as well.
Remember Tip #3 above: say yes to yourself? This may mean saying no to someone or something else. Be brave, and know your realistic limits. If you try to bend too far, you may break. So plan and prioritize accordingly.
Enjoy at least 1 really tasty meal a day
It’s easy to get distracted by other things when we’re eating food that doesn’t make us feel good or that doesn’t taste good. Make the effort to cook or purchase something that you’re really looking forward to eating. Then once you’ve gone to that effort, sit down and actually enjoy it. Set down the devices, turn off the TV. Focus on the food and how yummy it tastes. Take pleasure in the flavors. Know that you don’t just have this food in front of you, but that you *actually get* to enjoy it.
Once you cultivate an appreciation for this delectable cuisine, gratitude will naturally arise: recognition that this meal has been provided for you (versus going hungry), thankfulness that it tastes delicious (rather than stale, dry, rotten, or otherwise unappealing). When you experience this appreciation, you can enjoy an utter feast every single day, and with it, a more joyful and quiet mind.
Get in touch with old “tech-less” hobbies
Are there any hobbies you used to do that you don’t anymore? Anything that really sparked some happiness? Why not go ahead and take it back up again? Even better if it doesn’t involve technology. Reliving something enjoyable from the past can be calming, exhilarating, and just plain fun. Woodworking? Crafting? Performing arts? Boating? Enjoying a bit of something from the good old days can clear your mind and bring you back to a time when you weren’t so stressed. Even if you don’t feel like you have the time to do it, how about spending just an hour here or there? This isn’t a lot, in the grand scheme of things. Find the courage to spice up your life a bit and regain that hobby that gave you such joy; this can help inject new life into your days.
Take a little imaginary getaway in a fiction book
Immersing yourself in a book for 15-30 minutes can be a wonderful way to unwind and calm down from the busy-ness of everyday life. For a short time, you jetset off to another world and get to merely watch someone else’s life. This can help you temporarily set aside any troubles in your current life, reset and calm, and then be able to pick things back up with a fresh outlook.
You can pick up a book in the morning, at night, or even when you have just a few minutes here and there during the day. Any break can help to relax your mind. Next time you feel like picking up your phone and checking Facebook or TikTok, try keeping a book with you either in your bag or in e-book/Kindle form on your phone. (I love to use the Libby app to get e-books from my local library; then they’re accessible anytime I have my phone.)
Get outside, no matter the weather
Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for an overtaxed mind. Just plan for the weather that day: if it’s raining, take an umbrella. If it’s cold or snowy, bundle up warmly with appropriate foot gear. Going outside in the rain or snow can seem a bit daunting when you’re snug indoors, but assuming you take the appropriate precautions, you can still have just as dandy a time as when it’s warm and sunny! And if you go outside with a mind to enjoy the weather, it can rejuvenate your brain, your body, and your energy! Even just opening the windows to let in some fresh air can allow your brain to reset as you listen to outdoor sounds, different than what you’ve been exposed to.
Takeaway
If we always run to get to the next destination, we can burn ourselves out too readily. Taking a few stops along the way helps us to recharge. As the saying goes, “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” You need to take care of yourself along the journey if you want to make it to the end successfully. Utilize these 8 habits to live more intentionally and help you slow down a little here and there. When you do, you’ll be well on your way to a happier, more mindful life!
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Cover image photo credit: IStockPhoto.com/Pheelings Media
