Hello my love,

Slow Living

August is arriving and I welcome you to invite an energy of Slow Living into your life. I always sprinkle the essence of Slow Living in my life but lately I have deepened into an even richer, gentler, and softer way of living.

While we all care greatly about our health and well-being, it seems that so much of one’s intention can be on doing things to keep ourselves healthy. What about not doing things, or doing things slower? This month I ask that we all shift into a love affair with our parasympathetic nervous system. We all know the fight, flight, freeze response of the sympathetic nervous system. We do want to be able to tap into that when needed but guess what? We don’t need to live there. If we do live in an imbalanced state for too long we will begin to experience some health challenges.

The parasympathetic nervous system is the aspect of our nervous system known for rest and digest. It slows our heart and breathing rates, lowers blood pressure and promotes digestion. We resonate in a more relaxed, and calm, state when we are here; and the more time we spend here, the healthier we are.

Instead of working out harder, being more productive, staying connected and up to date on all news and available for all social events, etc., sssslllllooooowwwww down. Slow Living is exactly what it sounds like; it is living, slowly. Because we are so well versed in mindfulness language and are highly conscious beings, I will shine more light on Slow Living; allowing us to deepen our relationship with our parasympathetic nervous system.

Here are some things to play with in the month of August.

Slow Mornings

~When you wake up, pause. Spend some time stretching, relaxing, breathing. Begin your day slowly.
~Read a chapter from a fiction book.
~Practice some breathing exercises.
~Go tech-free all morning.
~Meditate
~Take a warm bath, finish with a cold rinse.
~Play with your animals; cuddle, pet, rest.
~Set an intention for your day. (Not a goal, but an intention.)

Slow Afternoons

~Notice the pacing of your movements. Literally slow down your movements and everything will begin to follow.
~Practice single-pointed focus; no multi-tasking.
~Eat slowly.
~Hydrate with water, lean away from caffeinated beverages.
~Be mindful of what you want to do vs. what you might notice a pull to do, or a FOMO moment. (Fear Of Missing Out)
~Step out of the current of the world that might shift your energy to do more, be more, see more, and do it all faster. Stand on your own and come from a place of grounded energy as you make choices in life.
~Align yourself with the vibrational field that brings you the most peace.
~Spend time in nature. Don’t bring your cell phone.

Slow Evenings

~Unplug from all tech. Turn off wifi, bluetooth, even routers if possible.
~Read a paper book.
~Chew slowly.
~Do one thing at a time.
~Choose a time to no longer be available to others and create a ritual Me Time; and honor it.
~Enjoy a cup of organic herbal tea, or water with lemon and honey perhaps.
~Practice intermittent fasting by choosing a time to have your last meal, or nibble, and allow your digestion some time to rest.

Slow Living

~Gift your body with intentional living, and not unconscious living, or habit based living.
~Taste your food while eating. Sit in gratitude for how the food arrived on your plate. Who was involved in getting it there?
~Enjoy tech-free meals.
~Only answer your phone if you truly have the energy available to be present with someone and not tax your reserves.
~Take naps.
~Speak slowly.
~Listen patiently.
~When you feel pulled to do something, pause and ask yourself if you need to in that moment. Every notification from your phone does not need an instant reply. Practice slow tech as well. Only respond if it is a time pressing matter. Otherwise, select a time when you check in and answer texts, emails, phone calls so you aren’t doing it all day and night, every day, for the rest of your life.
~When you commit to something in the future always allow yourself to change your mind. If, when the moment arrives, you feel it isn’t in your best interest, simply excuse yourself and put yourself first. It’s okay, they will understand and if they don’t, that’s also okay.
~Rest in a restorative yoga pose like legs up the wall, child’s pose, fetal pose, or Svasana for at least 15 minutes.
~Spoil yourself by honoring yourself and living a slow life.
~I promise you, you won’t miss a thing. In fact, you will begin to see more; sense more, and be more, by being fully present and able to live your life with conscious intention.

AND the health benefits are endless. Calming the sympathetic nervous system and living a slow life will provide an endless array of life sustainable, nourishing, and peace-provoking benefits.

I will leave you with a simple breathing exercise you can practice at anytime to regulate your nervous system. It is simply slowing down the exhale with a slight pause after the inhale and exhale. If you wish to breathe even slower that is wonderful. We call it 2-1-4-1. Inhale 2 seconds, hold 1 second, exhale 4 seconds, hold 1 second. Yes, you can also practice Box Breath, or 4-7-8. There are many to play with. Simply remember to breathe slowly. If you ever feel uncomfortable please stop. I can work with your privately if you would like to go deeper into the breath work.

I am happy to chat more with you about Slow Living. Please reach out if you would like to set up an appointment to learn more and create Slow Living rituals in your life.

See you soon.

Lots of (slow) love to you.