Slow down time

If the notion of slowing down seems completely outlandish in your busy schedule for the day, this article is definitely for you!

The Slow Living, you know ? It is this movement that pays homage to slowness by allowing yourself to slow down your pace of life to finally give yourself the right to flourish. It is also a way of living in full consciousness and reducing the pressure that society dictates to us.

Slow Living first stems from the Slow Food movement, which emerged in the 1980s as a reaction to fast food. This movement challenges mass production, overconsumption, and materialism. The acronym SLOW breaks down as follows:

S = Sustainable (Durable)
L = Local
O = Organic (Organic, organic)
In = Whole (Integer)

This concept is quite enticing, but I understand that getting into it is a whole different story. 'Cause I know... Stopping running around seems absurd andbetween the oldest boy's soccer game, shopping for dinner and 4 loads of laundry to fold. Decreasing the pressure of overproductivity seems impossible to slip into the to do already in-ter-mi-na-ble from work. Enjoying the moment is a very abstract concept when you have a brew in your cheeks!

But I swear to you! The acelow Life is possible for everyone. Because the beauty of it is that we can all experience this multi-benefit movement in very different ways. Appropriate it, what! The important thing is to find what suits us. Not for the neighbor, nor for his Instagram profile, but for himself.

Here are a few simple things to integrate into your daily life to learn how to slow down.

• Appreciate the small pleasures of everyday life
  The sweetness of a comforting sip of hot coffee, the hug of your eldest before leaving for school, the smile of a complete stranger, the wind that carries the sweet scent of autumn leaves... The small pleasures are many and do not need to be extravagant. The beauty of the thing is that these little moments are very personal to each one. Becoming aware of what makes us feel good and appreciating these simple little pleasures is sweet and comforting.
  
  
• Breathe deeply
  Breathing may seem trivial. On the other hand, it is recognized that good breathing reduces stress, improves concentration and promotes good sleep. Allowing yourself a few minutes a day to take the time to close your eyes and breathe deeply can only do good!
  
  
• Commit to a daily break
  Whether it's a few minutes or a few hours a day, taking a break for yourself is essential to unwind and refocus. Read a few pages of a novel, take a dip in a bubble bath, take a nap on the way home from work, scribble, take a long walk to get fresh air, garden... Anything that lets you escape from the routine for a while! This precious time will certainly be the best invested in your planning, because it is the one that allows you to recharge your batteries!
  
  
• Laugh heartily
  Laughter is therapy in itself. It allows you to de-dramatize and release the pressure. A sincere laugh has an instant feel-good effect. A good meal with friends, a light comedy, a game of tag with your children... Anything that can make you laugh is to be prescribed as often as necessary!

Finally, it is important not to compare yourself. Slow Living should in no way be a competition or an additional pressure. On the contrary :)