Running to the Next Red Light

It seems so common to see people rushing ahead to get to the next red light. Like, who in the world is in such a hurry that they have to get to the next stopping point as fast as possible? It is like people are desperate to be frustrated. The world has left people in this state. It seems so few can really slow down and see the beauty around them. It is a constant state of urgency out there. And it isn’t getting any better. Life just gets busier and busier. The failure to learn to slow down leads to burn out and, likely, some sort of moral failure that will radically impact every area of your life. Are you feeling the grip of needing to slow down? Here are a few simple ways to start creating some margin in your life.

Put your devices down

Set your phone down. Turn your tablet off. Dedicate a certain timeframe each day that you will be device free. Get away from it. All the dings as notifications come through. Whatever it is will still be there when you pick it back up. Make an intentional effort to put devices away for a period of time each day. It will allow you to be fully present at home, or wherever you are at the moment. The time of day can change with the various seasons of life. As the kids age you might find that you don’t have to put things away at home as much, or for as long. But you still need to do it. Along with that, give yourself space from all social media sites and anything else that has a tendency to draw your attention. It will take discipline at first, but it will be worth it in the end.

Take a deep breath

Feeling pressure, stress, or anxiety around you. Stop yourself and slow down. Take several deep breaths slowly. Inhale fully and completely. Pause. Exhale slowly and completely. Close your eyes. Whatever helps in the moment. Breath. Just breath. When you being to inhale think only of breathing in to yourself. Do the same as you begin to exhale. In… Out… Take as many as you need to start feeling better. Slow down and focus for a minute. For two. Take the time that you need.

Look around you

There is an incredibly beautiful world all around you. Look at it. Watch a bird fly about. Watch a squirrel run to and fro gathering acorns, or whatever is there. Look at the trees. The flowers. The animals around you. When you are driving, look around at the scenery you are passing. Look for deer feeding in the fields. Look for cool and magical moments happening around you. Draw in the depth of beauty in architecture and design. Look at the incredible structure of a tree and think about the life it has lived. Just look up and around. Don’t stare at the ground, or a device. Look at people. Smile. Say hello. Experience the world. You won’t regret it.

Take a walk

Stand up. Walk around. Jump around if you need to. Go outside and walk for a few minutes. Work in a building? Take a lap around the building and come back to your desk. Need to make phone calls? Make them while being outside moving around. Get moving. Go outside. Do something. Make yourself pause from worrying about other things and experience nature. Walking will help get circulation going. It will help your energy and mood. Make a regular walk a part of your daily routine.

Schedule down time

Scheduling down time is akin to being intentional about Sabbath. It goes hand in hand with putting devices down, but it is a more dedicated time of not being available. Make sure you have a purposeful time of rest and disconnection. On a weekly basis you need several hours of down time. During the year you need to take vacation time that allows you to unplug fully from things going on. Don’t make excuses about why you can’t do it. The reality is that you can’t offer your best to your family, your work, your spouse, your whatever without taking intentional time off.

Tell people no

Saying no is not a bad thing. It is a vital thing to living a healthy life. And you have to know what your priorities are in order to know what things need to hear a no. You can’t do everything. You are a limited being. You can’t do it all. It’s a fact. It’s reality. Accept it. Great dies regularly at the alter of the urgent that isn’t really urgent, or necessary. Learn how to say no to things that will only take away from life. That will let you say yes to the things that will add to life.

Everybody seems to be in an awful hurry to wait some more. Stress, anxiety, and frustration rule the day. They don’t have to rule your day though. Look at these things and see how you can incorporate them into your daily routines. You just might find yourself getting more done than you thought you could.