Make the Slowlutions™ Choice
To regularly reduce stress and enjoy experiences that revitalize us, whether for five minutes at a time or for a three-month sabbatical, we must take one initial step:
We must make the decision deep inside to slow down from stress.
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Strength of intention is required because the world will not slow down for us; in fact, daily life, like a devilish adversary, will do its best to keep us on the run. To make Slowlutions™ part of our lives, we must be prepared to say repeatedly – and kindly - to ourselves some version of the following: |
I’ll have a much more comprehensive guide in “Halt! Enough already!
I’m going to stop the treadmill because I need to get off.”
... followed by ...
“What’s my Slowlution™?”
Although this self-talk may feel artificial at first, sooner or later, we find ourselves wanting to slow down when stressed. Eventually, we no longer need to remind ourselves. We understand how good Slowlutions feel and how good they are for us and for the people around us.
this life
once...
take time
before
time takes you.
Making the commitment to Slowlutions™ - and remembering to practice them as work, family and errands tug us in all directions - takes discipline. “Oh,” you may groan, “more hard work. Just what I need.” But here’s the good news: while you may not feel the benefit from your initial Slowlutions™, you will as you practice more – and that will help you remember to slip into one each time you are stressed. The old adage “practice makes perfect” applies here – as long as you think of practice as a gentle process.
Following is a very brief outline of the basics of practicing Slowlutions™ :
Noticing Your Stress
First, simply learn to take note of all the physical, mental and emotional signs that appear when you are stressed.
Asking the Slowlutions™ Question
Once you recognize your stress signs, you can start to think of them as cues, or chimesbeckoning you to ask:
What’s my Slowlution™?
Sensing Your Slowlution™
Answering this question may not come easily at first, but the practice of Slowlutions™ will soon provide you a ready menu of options. Your Slowlution™ will need to fit your circumstance, of course. A long, hot bath isn’t advisable when your toddler’s racing about, but slow, deep breathing is a fine option.
Sensing your Slowlution, give yourself permission to slip into it for a minute, an hour… and – very important:
Giving Full Attention, or Slowlutions™ as a Mindfulness Exercise
Practice giving the fullest attention possible to your Slowlution™ (but do not risk your safety if driving, etc!). Your mind will wander back to worries and “to do” lists. Gently bring yourself back to concentrating on your Slowlution because this singleness of focus is as important as the type of activity you have chosen. In this way, Slowlutions™ are like mindfulness exercises.
Practicing Non-judgment
Practice not believing the judgmental stories about taking care of yourself that may run like jangly tapes through your mind. Focus on being kind, and accepting the truth: you are not Superperson; your mind and body tire. This, too, is like a mindfulness exercise as you repeatedly take your attention away from unhelpful – and untrue! – beliefs.
Noticing the Slowlutions™ Rewards
Practice noticing how Slowlutions™ affect you and how taking care of yourself helps you contribute more joyfully, work more productively, and solve problems more effectively.
Old stories and anxieties may have kept us flying from one task to the next like over-tired trapeze artists, but Slowlutions™ help us realize life is more than a high wire act. Like mindfulness exercises, they invite calm and greater clarity of thought and feeling.
Questions? Feel free to contact me at placesense@yahoo.com about my consulting services and upcoming book, The Little Book of Slowing Down. (Pls. put "Slowing Down" in your email's subject line.)
Slowlutions™: The power of slowing down
to enhance quality of life and business success.