How to slow down this December.

December is upon us. At this time of year, as the temperatures drop and the Christmas trees start to go up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the never -ending tasks on the To Do List. It can be a challenging time – where we struggle to slow down and this can creep into every area of our life – from the way we sprint round the shops for those last minute brussel sprouts, to the way we dash off an email to a colleague, and the way we speak on the phone to a loved one.

In an age where our attention is permanently being pulled in so many directions, we are surrounded by ever changing information & communications, the pace can just keep ratcheting up. 

So, if we can find a way to slow down, listen more, and connect deeply with those around us – we can enjoy a more grounded, steady and supported sense of being.

How do we do this? 

1.  Breathing exercises: These are regularly recommended in our workshops, but they have an extraordinary power to slow down our impulses and to be more present in the here and now. By starting your day with 3 minutes of mindful breathing we can alter how that day pans out. 
2. Set intentions: Be clear about what you are trying to achieve, be that in crossing things off your To Do List or be that in a conversation – why are you there? what do you want or need? Take a moment to think about your intentions for the day ahead.
3. Use your technology to support you better: We all know the feeling of the relentless ping of emails or WhatsApp messages – a constant bombardment! Don’t forget most devices have ‘do not disturb’ settings, use them to take control of the interruptions you face. Or why not try using a timer to become more efficient in managing your day?
4. Manage your impatience: Notice when you feel a desire to respond or reply immediately and begin to challenge this. Do you really need to deal with this now? By immediately replying to people, we create a back and forth that can go at break neck speed, but by pausing and slowing down we can create a less frantic and ultimately more meaningful interaction.
5. Use silence: If we learn to embrace the use of silence or pause in our lives, we start to really slow things down. By simply breathing before we reply to someone, we are enabling thoughts to flow, words to be found,  so we can respond in a more considered way.  

Slowing down isn’t about doing less – it’s about being more mindful of what we do, enabling us to create real connection with those around us. And what better time to be aware of that than at Christmas.