An Overachievers Guide To Slowing Down

 


An Overachiever's Guide To Slowing Down

Taking the time to rest and reset can be hard, especially if you’re a productive person. Trust me, I know this better than anyone. As I go through my day, I often find myself obsessing over incomplete tasks and meticulously planning the order in which I have to finish them. Even though being a perfectionist is a good trait, the characteristics that come with this can be infuriating: obsession, overanalyzing, and anxiety. So here are a few simple habits that you can incorporate throughout your day to help give your racing mind a break!


Meditation: Meditating is a great way to relax your nervous system and help calm all those crazy, intrusive thoughts.  The best part, there are tons of different forms. For beginners, I’d recommend starting with a guided meditation. These can be anywhere from five to thirty minutes, depending on what techniques are being used. My personal favorite is Chakra Meditations – as they help to ground you and can channel soothing energy to specific places in the body. 


Screen-time: I know, I know, cutting out screen-time can be hard, especially in today's time. But simple practices like not going on your phone while getting ready for the day, or deciding to listen to music instead of doomscrolling make a huge difference! To start, I’d limit screen time on social media. This can drastically cut down your daily screen time, and you’ll notice your attention span improving over time. 


Journaling/Writing: My all-time favorite, writing! As a blogger, writing is my outlet. Even if you're not Shakespeare reincarnated, jotting down a few sentences to start your day or before bed can be truly relaxing. If you’re someone who has a busy life or is going through a tough time, this is the best way to get rid of all that negative energy holding you down. For example, I find it very difficult to open up when things are bothering me – even when I want to talk to someone about it. Typing, journalism, and scrapbooking are all ways I can speak without necessarily using my voice – and you can too!


Religion: Since the beginning of time, humans have naturally looked towards a higher being for guidance. If you’re someone who's distant from religion or doesn’t believe in any deity, you can skip this practice! But if you’re a person looking for divine support, religious practices might be the best option for you. Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Omnist, or Hellenic Polytheist, prayer, praise, and worship can help to reduce any stress or unease. 


Reading: My second favorite habit, reading. Cracking open a book allows the reader to enter a fantasy world of their choosing. This can offer a temporary escape from your reality, no matter the genre. The best part, you can take a book anywhere, and you can read it during the day or night. If you’re a student, even better! Most schools and faculties encourage kids to read during class. So not only are you giving yourself a brain break, but you’re impressing your teachers and peers. 


Exercise: Okay, I know, exercising can be a nightmare to some, but it's the best way to release tension in the body. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing some light cardio like walking your dog, or if you're a full-on gym junkie, exercise is scientifically proven to calm the mind, loosen the body, and boost serotonin. Take a quick walk now and then; go on a hike. Or maybe try a new hobby like bicycling or skateboarding. All of these are fun and effective ways of exercising – even better, it’ll help you achieve you’re dream body. 


Going Out: Last but not least, “slowing down” doesn’t always mean physically braking. If you’ve been working hard all day or studying all week, you deserve to cut yourself some slack. Go out to dinner, have a sleepover with best friends, or even go to a party! It's okay to let loose now and then; in fact, I’d aim to go out at least once a week. And I don't mean go outside to run errands or head to work, but deliberately take one day out of your week and dedicate it to fun. 


Perfect! Now you have some great new habits to add to you’re daily routine. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back and stay hydrated. <3



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