Eight Ways to Slow a Frantic Lifestyle

"There is more to life than increasing the speed" (Gandhi)    
 
When overwhelmed or exhausted do you feel the to-do list will not accommodate a break? Maybe the to-do list will grow much too long if you take a vacation. Maybe you feel guilty just for wanting/needing a break! Is the guilt compounded by not allocating enough time for your loved-ones or for your own physical/emotional well-being?
 
Hmmm….Could there be some shame or fear lurking in the background of our frantic busyness? Are we trying to prove that we are Productive? Successful? Secure? Whole? Worthy? A good provider? A good parent? Perhaps we are frantically striving to fulfill a higher purpose?
 
To begin to create a sane life, you can make small, selective, conscious choices. Such simple acts can slow you down enough to break the compulsive thought cycle and leave your mind free to…have an actual life. Taking just a little time every day refuels your energy tank. Loving yourself a bit will translate into being capable of managing the small and big stresses - with grace. Rest and play are not a waste of time. They are instead an investment in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Relaxation can boost creativity and creative problem-solving. A recharged heart has enough energy to give attention to a loved one.

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Eight Simple Ways to Slow Down

1. A Simple Cup of Tea or Coffee… enjoy it unplugged. Sip, taste, feel. Enjoy the flavor, feel your favorite mug warm in your hands. Feel the lovely warmth in your mouth, throat, tummy. It's a beautiful thing!
2.  Add Fun to Errand Time! While on errands spend a little time window shopping. If you pass a fountain, throw in a penny and a wish. Look at other shoppers and imagine “They are just like me.”
3.  Read Something Wonderful. Why does a good book fill you up when watching a movie does not? I don’t know but it does. Let a good book take you on a journey and let your imagination fly out of its cage for a little while. Don’t have time to read? Put an e-book on your phone and steal a few minutes here and there.
4. Get Out! We go from the house, to the car, to the office, to errands and repeat. Even during short times outside, make a point to look at the plants, trees and sky. Feel the sun on your cheeks. Listen to the birds. Get away from the phone/desk for 30 minutes and take a walk outdoors.
5. Feel the Support of the Earth. As often as you can, ground yourself: garden, early morning or evening walks, put your feet in the water, wiggle your toes in the sand or mud, rock on the front porch. Mother Nature is always waiting for us. Before I open the door to my office each day, I feel Mother Earth supporting my feet. I give her my cares, open the door, and feel ready to support my patients.
6.  Discover a New Place! Travel is a great escape from the daily rush and routine. Meet new people, experience new cultures, taste new foods. If you can’t do a week, then a weekend or day trip. Have an adventure! My husband and I love to drift in the car. We drive with no agenda and stop as we find things of interest. Sometimes I let my intuition guide me in the car. “Turn left. That road is calling. Stop at this shop.” I’ve found some real treasures this way.
7.  Treat yourself – to something healthy! Health and wellness has a way of being pushed down in the priority list. Push it back up in a small way or a big way. Wake 15 minutes early and do some stretching. Take a class, yoga, dance, kickboxing hoola-hooping, the list is endless. Treat yourself to a regular massage for deep relaxation and muscle health. Make better choices in your diet – More organic, more greens, buy some fresh squeezed greens/fruit juice, eat less sugar. Become a label reader. Stay toward the outside of the grocery store – that’s where all the fresh food is.
8.  Reduce stress with Chiropractic?! Yes! Chiropractic restores motion and balance to joints and muscles, which reduces the overall stress in your system. Patients report better concentration, better sleep and of course less pain. As a holistic chiropractor, my goal is to help you live at your optimal level by looking at nutrition, strength, balance, energy, mental and emotional well-being. I help my patients navigate all areas of health. If I don’t have a recommendation, I probably know another professional who can help you. Schedule online now at www.ChiroKelley.com or call the for more information at (843) 321-8119.