Summer has a way of tricking us… We picture long, lazy days filled with nothing but sitting by the pool and sipping iced coffees. But somehow the season has a way of filling up and flying by just as quickly as every other season. Or maybe even quicker. Cookouts with friends, roadtrip adventures, responsibilites that don’t stop simply because it’s summertime. And between all the little things that add up, suddenly we realize that we are nearing the end of the very season that we meant to slow down and enjoy.
Here at Nourish, we want to promote a life that lives up to the full meaning of the word – not only providing food and nutrients necessary for physical life and health, but also encouraging a lifestyle that nurtures and causes growth in our mental, emotional, and spiritual being.
And sometimes, that looks like slowing down.
Sometimes that looks like giving yourself permission to rest.
Yes, sometimes it even looks like being ‘lazy’
We know that in the culture and lifestyle of the world today, slowing down can seem impossible. One quick google search said that “today, the US culture is a dynamic, fast-paced mosaic heavily driven by individualism, digital connectivity, and diversity.”
Fast-paced. Individualism. Digital connectivity. That doesn’t sound like a nourished lifestyle to us. So what are some ways that we can push back against the current of today’s rocket-speed lifestyle?
Today we are sharing a few simple, low-effort ways to slow down. Not big things. Not a major life overhaul. Just small shifts that make room for us to breathe a little deeper.
Have an unplugged morning
We know how easy it is to roll over and grab our phone for an early morning scroll before we’ve fully wiped the sleep from our eyes. But what if you didn’t touch it for the first 30 minutes of your morning? Instead, spend that time stretching, drinking a glass of water, and stepping into the sunshine. Maybe try it for a week, and see how much more you enjoy your mornings!
Enjoy a leisurely meal
Pick a meal – sometime when you can take your time without having to rush on to the next thing. Prepare your food, make it pretty, and just enjoy it without multitasking or focusing on anything else. It can be simple: a fried egg with fresh fruit or a BLT and cut veggies. Put it on a glass plate, pour some juice, sit in silence. Give it your full attention and allow yourself to really taste and enjoy the meal you usually rush through.
Do something you enjoy, without documenting it
Pick something you enjoy – an art project, reading a book, going for a hike, preparing a new dish, hanging out at the pool, drinking your favorite Nourish beverage… The sky is the limit! Whatever it is, spend time doing it just for yourself. No instagram instants, facebook stories, or snapchat snaps. Let’s get away from the “picture or it didn’t happen” mindset and allow ourselves to just live in the moment and enjoy the little things. The world doen’t need to know what we are up to in real time.
Get in the dirt
There’s something about getting into the dirt that slows time down and reminds us to breath deep. If you grow flowers or have a vegetable garden, spend some time tending them. Or go to a local farm and pick some berries or browse the fresh produce. Take a fun drink, a picnic lunch, and a friend and make a day of it.
Start an evening ritual
Put your phone away. Make a cup of tea. Read a book. Journal. Get outside and roast a marshmallow or catch lightning bugs. Whatever it is, spend time unwinding before you head to bed. Maybe even make use of the warm nights and sleep out under the stars! See how much better you sleep when you spend time quieting your mind and body.
Slowing down isn’t just about doing less (although that definitely helps!). We know that sometimes it’s impossible to step away from the responsibilites of life. Sometimes slowing down is simply being more present in the things you are already doing. Time flies by no matter what we are doing, so we may as well take a breath and enjoy the moments we are in. We hope these ideas will help you do just that!
Do you feel the need for some slower moments? Which of these ideas are you going to try? Or what are some ways you slow down? Share them in the comments and inspire someone else!
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