In a world that never seems to stop, the slow living movement offers a refreshing alternative. Emphasizing mindfulness, simplicity, and a deliberate pace, slow living encourages us to savor each moment and focus on what truly matters. Join us as we explore the principles and benefits of this intentional lifestyle, with Dr. Romena Toki, Clinical Psychologist, Adult & Children Specialist at Sage Clinics to discover how slowing down can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life.
‘Kara, a woman in her 30s, leads a busy life. From the moment her alarm goes off in the morning, she’s already mentally racing through the day ahead. While checking her emails, she’s simultaneously planning her work presentation and drafting messages to friends; this is before she has even left the house. This pattern continues as she rushes through her morning routine, skipping breakfast and grabbing whatever is convenient.
Throughout the day, Kara finds herself constantly multitasking, jumping from one task to another. She eats lunch in a rush, barely registering the taste of leftover cake from a colleague’s birthday celebration. To make herself feel better, she might do a quick online shopping haul in between a meeting. In the evening, during dinner, she and her partner are on their phones and manage to have a quick chat about their plans over the weekend. Her hectic life leaves her feeling drained, unfulfilled, and disconnected from herself and those around her.’
Kara’s story is not unique. We live in a society where productivity is promoted to us from childhood. We are taught to keep working towards our next goal and to ‘make every moment count.’ I work with children and adults who speak of the pressure to always ensure that they are being productive with their time. Rest, sleeping, and even spending time with loved ones are sometimes unfortunately seen as a reward only if they have finished their work or done other ‘productive’ things during the day. What is more common, then, is that when people do try to take the time to rest or take a break, they speak of feeling unable to stop thinking about the long list of things that need doing, leaving them with feelings of guilt, worry, and restlessness. The risk of continuing to live like this is that we are missing the richness of the present moment, and it is having an impact on our health, our connections, and our quality of life.
What is Slow Living?
Slow living is not about laziness and not necessarily doing less; it’s about doing things with greater mindfulness and intentionality. It can be seen as a way of embracing the richness of the present moment, savoring the little things happening around us, rather than rushing through them toward our next achievement. For some, it is about prioritizing what truly matters and starting to let go of unnecessary and addictive distractions.
Some Benefits of Slow Living:
Historically, the benefit of slow living has been a part of many cultures and religious teachings. Many speak of the benefits to peoples’ emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational health.
Emotionally, we have witnessed how trying to stay connected to the present and those around us can help to reduce stress and worry, especially for those who find themselves spending a lot of time going over the past or worrying about the future. While worrying about the future may feel productive in the moment – many say it helps them feel ‘prepared’ for ‘worst-case scenarios’ – it’s important for us to recognize when the worries are no longer ‘preparing’ but rather keeping us away from the moments and activities that are meaningful for us.
Ever sat in front of the laptop, phone, or TV and not even tasted what you ate, yet you are left feeling uncomfortable, sleepy, and exhausted? Physically, many have spoken of the impact of eating slower and more mindfully. Some have said that it can be a useful tool to reduce overconsumption of foods, to help with the use of food as a tool for managing difficult emotions, and to enjoy what they are eating in the moment.
Many couples speak about drifting apart from one another, and when we take a closer look at their relationships, there is often a common theme: there came a time when they fell into autopilot routines. Life becomes about working towards ‘couple goals’ and ‘surviving’ the fast-paced living, rather than spending time connecting, communicating, and enjoying one another’s company. Taking the time to connect with those around us, through paying attention to what is happening around you and engaging in conversations, can deepen connections and create opportunities for more meaningful interactions with our loved ones.
From a societal perspective, slow living promotes sustainability by encouraging mindful consumption and reducing waste. We are seeing concepts such as minimalism, conscious consumption, and eco-friendly living as great ways of living. These principles not only benefit individuals and families by fostering deeper connections and reducing stress but also contribute positively to the environment and wider community.
Practical Tips for Integration:
Simple practices like mindful eating, mindful movement (like taking a walk without any distractions), unplugging from technology, and spending time in nature can help create opportunities for connection to the present. One tip is to try engaging our senses – paying attention to what we can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. If you have children, during mealtimes – see if this can be an opportunity to teach them about using their senses while eating. Try to spend more time outdoors when possible – supporting them in developing a relationship with nature.
In a world that glorifies speed and constant activity, slow living invites us to simplify and savor everyday moments. It serves as a powerful antidote to the frenetic pace of modern life.
You can find out more about Dr Romena Toki and the team at Sage Clinics: here.
For more information about the services Sage Clinics offers or to book an appointment please contact +971 4 575 5684, at appointments@sage-clinics.com or through the chat function in the bottom right corner of the website.