5 signs that you need to slow down

You’d think that in this world full of convenience and technology our lives would be pretty laid back and that we’d be enjoying more free time than ever before.  But, a quick look around tells me that’s not the case and that some women are feeling more stressed and pressured than ever before.  We could debate for days as to the many reasons for this, but i’m more interested how we can end the ‘busyness cycle’ that seems to be taking over.    

It’s entirely possible that these feelings have become your version of ‘normal’ and that you don’t even recognise the never ending sense of being on a hamster wheel that won’t stop spinning! Here are just a few signs that you could be pushing too hard and that it’s time to slow down a little (and it doesn’t mean getting less done, I promise)...  

REGULAR BAD MOODS: Does your mood tend move over to the dark side throughout the day, do you find yourself snapping at people a bit more than is really necessary or letting small things escalate in full on drama within minutes?  These are all signs that you need a little time out and you don’t have to wait until the end of the day - grab a couple of minutes while the kettle boils or  you wait for the kids to finish school and take a few deep breaths, it sounds simple but it really helps to restore balance and perspective throughout the day.   

LIVING ON AUTOPILOT:  Do you ever finish a meal or get to the end of a journey and realise that you don’t remember a thing? Scarey as it sounds, it happens a lot and it’s a warning sign for you to slow down and become more present in your day.  

STRUGGLING TO RELAX: I’m talking about real relaxation here, not exhaustion at the end of the day when you finally sit down and fall asleep in front of the TV (no judgement, we’ve all been there)! For the sake of our own health and wellbeing it’s time for us to take relaxation seriously and deal with the guilt that we feel around it - i’ll be writing more about that in future posts.  But, if at the end of the day, you find it hard to switch off and relax try finding 10-15 minutes for yourself to snuggle the dog, read a book or take an extra long shower, the difference it makes is amazing.     

MAKING MISTAKES: Are you making more mistakes than usual and then beating yourself up about it? I know it’s easy to rush around all the time thinking about what someone just said or looking ahead to what’s next on your ‘to do’ list but let’s be honest in the end does it really save any time? Probably not, especially if we make a mistake in the process and have to go back and put it right. Give single tasking a try and see how it makes a change to your day.   

WAKING UP TIRED: Reaching for the snooze button more times than you should be? Struggling to get out of bed or waking up feeling tired are both signs that you’re not getting enough sleep. The solution is not always as simple as getting to bed earlier, you also need to take a look at the quality of sleep that you’re getting and what your evening routine feels like - are you falling asleep in front of the TV, not getting a long enough break from bright screens or eating way too late? I encourage you to establish a bit of a routine to help you wind down during the evening which should help you drift off much more easily and wake up feeling refreshed. 

I know that the thought of slowing down can sometimes seem unrealistic and we can all come up with the tired old “yes but i have to...(insert your own excuse)” but rushing around doesn’t help anyone, especially you.  I urge you find a couple of ways that you can take it down a notch or two, slow down and find more enjoyment in your days.        

AUTHOR: LEANNA DOOLIN

Co – Founder of holistic skincare brand, Pure Thoughts and advocate for women finding pause in their day to breathe deeply, give thanks and reconnect to what matters. Loves early mornings, dogs and books that you can’t put down.