The Power of Pausing: How Slowing Down Can Transform Your Life and Well-Being
How easy do you find it to slow down? If I asked you to take a break today what’s the first thought that comes to mind?
I can’t because..
‘I have too much to do!’
‘Other people depend on me’
‘I feel guilty when I take a break’
We have been fed a story that our value and worth is based on busyness, productivity, and working hard. And for women, in particular, the patriarchal rhetoric has been to give selflessly to everyone else.
Look at how these things are rewarded and applauded;
‘She gives everything to her kids’
‘She’s great at multi-tasking’
‘You can have it all’
Can we have it all? And if we can, at what cost?!
At this time of year, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Autumn leaves fall to the ground, and the days get shorter, this is an invitation to slow down.
Often people feel more lethargic and yearn for comfort and a slower pace, and question what’s wrong with them.
There’s nothing wrong with you. This is the natural alignment with our innate nature and the seasons. Historically, after harvest, families would go into their homes and sleep more, reconnect, replenish, knowing this time for rest is needed.
All around us nature is showing us that it is ok to go to ground, that its ok to pause in trying to bloom, and instead nurture our roots. To create strong, healthy foundations, so that come Spring, we are bursting with new grow and possibility.
Mother Nature is constantly communicating with you. When you honor the changing of the seasons and the power stemming from each cycle, you’re naturally inclined to making better decisions. Similarly, with the summer coming to a close, will present you with the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the second harvest. The wheel of life is a journey, and autumn is a time to express your gratitude.
Valerie Mesa
Slowing down and rest have been shown to not only be supportive for health and wellbeing but also hugely beneficial with regards to focus on productivity.
A study by Harvard Business Review highlighted that taking regular breaks in work are beneficial for well-being and performance. Without those breaks employees are stressed, depleted and exhausted. Their ability to focus suffers, they make more mistakes. Short-term this leads to more resource and time needed to do the work. Long-term that has a negative impact on the individual, their health and their confidence in their capabilities. And has a negative impact on business progress and growth.
But how do you let go of those pesky ‘productivity is king (or queen)’ thoughts and lean into slowing down, pausing and taking regular breaks?
Micro-breaks: Taking regular 10-20 minute breaks are thought to be more beneficial than longer breaks, when done right! This is about taking a break from your screen (so put down the scroll!). Ideally, you want to get outside, move your body, engage with someone else. Notice how it feels to take this break because feeling the benefits will help you want to do it again. For more on micro-breaks check this blog article from Loughborough University
Schedule in your breaks: block the time out in your calendar, as you would do with a team meeting or a dentist appointment. By scheduling it in, you are more likely to commit to it and do it.
Mindful eating and drinking: Taking your time and savouring your food and drink can really help with digestion and your body’s ability to absorb food and function. And can also help ease stress and anxiety by slowing down physically and mentally. Eating or drinking slowly you focus on your senses, you lean into gratitude and appreciation, your nervous system naturally goes into parasympathetic state or rest and digest. For more on how to practise this see Help Guide
Notice and reframe your negative thoughts: If slowing down and taking breaks is new to you, your brain is going to tell you all the reasons why you shouldn’t do it, as part of your internal safety mechanism. Spend time writing out all the reasons why taking breaks will benefit you (better healthy, happier, more productive etc). And all the negative impacts of not taking a break (getting ill, stress, overwhelm, possible burn out). The more you can notice these negative thoughts and reframe them with positive alternatives, the more motivated you will be to make a positive change.
Accept that its going to feel uncomfortable to start: Making a change is uncomfortable. But so is staying the same! Chose your uncomfortable. Creating new habits is challenging, but remember everything you now do was once new. For more on creating and sticking new habits, read James Clear’s incredible book Atomic Habits. For a little introduction check out his article here
In learning to slow down and take breaks, you can intentionally and powerfully restore your energy and embrace more enjoyment, better health and optimised, sustainable growth.
As a 43 year old recovering excessive worker and people pleaser, I am finally leaning into this. Knowing that in devoting myself to taking regular breaks in this season of my life and going forward, I am making space to welcome in so much beauty and opportunity in my life and business.
If you know you have been pushing through, not taking enough breaks, to the detriment of your health, happiness and well-being, you can contact me to find out how I could support you to change that.
