Slow living: live better, not faster

The ‘slow living’ concept, actively promoted today, advocates a deliberate, measured lifestyle — completing tasks at a leisurely pace and prioritizing quality over speed. It emphasizes performing actions at the right speed, focusing on improvement rather than acceleration. This entails slowing down, reducing activities, and allocating time to personal significance. By deliberately decelerating and prioritizing authentic values, the slow-living mindset fosters self-awareness, and purposeful decision-making for personal well-being.

Rejecting the idea that busyness equals success, slow living champions being present and valuing quality experiences over quantity. It encourages living with intent, mindfulness, and thoughtful consideration, involving disengagement from autopilot for reflection and self-awareness.

We spoke to a few individuals who lead fast-paced lives yet manage to incorporate moments of leisure to unwind and alleviate stress.

Juggling roles and finding harmony

According to Amita Lulla, partner, Simply South, "As women, we are natural nurturers, yet the importance of self-care cannot be overstated. In the past decade, a shift towards prioritizing mental health and achieving work/life balance has gained momentum. Personally, as an ambivert, I consciously gauge my daily needs — whether it’s solitude or socializing. My pre-teen son, with his infectious enthusiasm, serves as a delightful stress buster. Reading, a constant love, accompanies me everywhere, while music, spanning various genres, fills my days. Managing operations at my restaurant, Simply South, is not just work; it’s a source of genuine joy. Engaging with the NGO ABC Society, dedicated to orphan children, adds a therapeutic dimension to my life, reinforcing the significance of giving back and practising gratitude for stress management."

Getting away is not always the answer!

Speaking to this newspaper, Shalini Gianchandani, counselling psychologist and
co-founder of Inner-Connect Counselling Centre, said: "The widespread yearning for a stress-free escape, often expressed as “I need a vacation”, spans all age groups."

“Getting away is loosely synonymous with coping with stress, with many believing that temporarily escaping triggers is the sole solution for stress management and burnout. Relying solely on vacations, however, is unrealistic. Dealing with stress involves learning to cope without escaping, enhancing mental and physical well-being, and shedding unhealthy coping mechanisms. Stress management is not one-size-fits-all; what works for some may not work for others. Years of working with clients reveal that ‘busting’ stress differs significantly from relieving it. Recognizing vulnerabilities and being mindful of triggers enables proactive stress management, preventing it from reaching dysfunction," she said.

Nurturing body & mind through daily rituals

According to Priya Rajiv, emotional well-being coach, image & etiquette consultant, "Prioritizing mental well-being, physical activity, and inner nurturing is vital in my daily routine. My personal medicine involves daily walks and stair climbing, dedicating 30 minutes to physical activity. Yoga Nidra meditation for 15 minutes in the morning and evening ensures restful sleep and stress reduction. For mental enrichment, I commit to daily enlightening reading or listening. When working with children and clients becomes draining, I turn to sound therapy with old Hindi songs for relaxation and EDM for rejuvenation. My stress-relief sanctuary is beneath the flowing shower, cleansing both body and negative energy. Embracing simple pleasures like basking in the sunshine is vital while avoiding the common mistake of sacrificing sleep is paramount. Life is a beautiful blessing, and self-care is non-negotiable."

Techniques to beat stress

The following are some evidence-based techniques shared by Shalini Gianchandani that help deal with stress where one does not need to have this overwhelming feeling to “get away”:

Schedule Stress Management:
• Allocate at least 15 minutes daily for stress management activities.
• Schedule recurring time slots for enjoyable pursuits like drawing, meditation, rest, stretching, or journaling.

Elevate Happiness Hormones:
• Boost dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins through self-care.
• Recognize their contributions to a healthy mind, body, and soul.

Activate the Vagus Nerve:
• Stimulate the Vagus nerve for better digestion, breathing, and heart rate.
• Engage in calming activities like yoga, mindful breathing, exercise, a healthy diet, and sufficient sleep.

Establish a Self-Care Routine:
• Create a daily self-care routine, incorporating mindful walks and sensory awareness.
• Take breaks to observe nature, such as birds chirping or flowers and trees along the way.

Practice Gratitude:
• Reflect on positive aspects of life and jot them down regularly.

Ground Yourself:
Use grounding techniques to stay present, such as focusing on external stimuli or feeling your feet connecting to the ground.

Holistic Well-being:
• Maintain a healthy mind and body through nutritious eating, regular exercise, quality sleep, and laughter.
• Enjoy familiar, uplifting movies or comedy shows.

Seek Support:
• Talk about stress with family, friends, or a therapist.
• Understand stress is temporary; express emotions and let it pass without holding onto it.