Coaching Corner: Slowing down

Do you ever find yourself running from one thing to the next? Do you feel like you are just rushing through life? We live in a pretty quick moving world. We want fast internet, fast cars and often times find ourselves settling for fast food as we rush from one thing to the next.
This rushing has a bigger impact on our lives than we think. When we rush, we miss out on the beauty, function, and adventure around us. When we grab quick food and eat on the go, we miss out on the opportunity to taste our food. To give our working bodies the best fuel it needs to function well. When we rush through life we miss out on interactions we could have had, witnessing the scenery and views changing.

I am naturally a fast walker. People frequently comment on how fast I move down the hallways at H3. In an effort to slow down and relax, I started walking a .9 mile loop around my neighborhood in the morning. The goal was to walk slow and walk like I have nowhere to go or nothing I’m late for. It has been an amazing way to start the day! When I slow down my body, my mind slows down too. I have more clarity on what is going on in my life. I use this time to set my intensions for the day.

I caught myself one morning while out on my walk, pushing the pace. I started late and was trying to rush so that I would not be late for work. And just like my steps, my thoughts became rushed and anxious. Once I was aware of this connection and slowed down, I was amazed that the anxiety went away as well. Controlling our anxious and hurried minds could be as easy as slowing down out pace.

How can you slow down today?

Can you take a walk outside, and here is the key, not for exercise?

Can you say “no” to something?

Can you take an extra moment to let someone in, in traffic?

Can you take time to pack a meal at home before heading out for your day?

What is one thing you can do to engage with the world around you?