Have you noticed how everyone’s always in a rush?
Driving too fast, eating on the run, rushing to yoga class, or running late for your next meeting?
We live in a society where everything has to be done at a faster pace and with a sense of urgency; we talk fast, walk fast, and act fast; we get flustered and become irritable when we get delayed. At the end of the day, no matter how much we have rushed, we usually end up feeling like we’re still running behind and haven’t accomplished half of what we set out to do.
The more busy we are and the more stress we have, along with the perception that we always have to be in a hurry in order to be efficient, has basically become today’s badge of honour for anyone chasing success. This learned behaviour in the 21st century has become our mental default state and has created FOMO (fear of missing out), which keeps our body under constant strain. Releasing those stress hormones can become addictive, and like any other addiction, we end up craving the feelings they generate in order to get the “rush” and feel good.
Chronic rushing can lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Many people suffer from this hurry sickness. Rushing makes us feel like we are in a continuous, frantic frenzy and that we never have enough time or energy. As a result, we end up feeling more impatient and anxious. We miss out on being present in our lives, rush past the important things in life, and lose out on the opportunity to savour the moment and feel content and satisfied with our lives.
Everyone knows the need and importance of slowing down. As I have grown older, I have learned to slow down, value time, and appreciate the little, simple things in life that are just as important as the big things. Next time you catch yourself rushing, take a pause along with a deep breath, and then consciously choose to slow down your pace.
If we want to lead a healthier and happier life, there are three basic steps we need to incorporate as fast as we can ( pardon the pun) into our daily routine.
First of all, we need to Step Back.
It is an essential component of our physical and mental wellness to make time every day for silence and solitude. Even if we say we don’t have the time, we must make the time. In our hectic world today, this is non-negotiable. It is a valuable tool to maintain our sanity, balance our health, and restore our peace of mind. By turning the switch off, we can gain strength and become better equipped to handle life’s daily challenges by finding our center and staying balanced.
Secondly, we need to Step Out of the Frenzy and stop the madness.
Take a day off. Even God rested on the seventh day. Regular breaks are vital and necessary in order to be able to recharge our batteries. I miss those days when everything was closed on Sundays and we had time for our family, friends, fun, and, in my case, a great Sunday lunch after going to Mass. We all need to disconnect in order to reconnect.
And lastly, we need to learn how to Step into Mindfulness.
Learn how to relax, take a breath, and become more present in our daily lives. Stop pushing yourself and adding extra pressure and stress. Focus on one thing at a time, prioritize your tasks, and set boundaries. Trying to juggle it all makes us feel overwhelmed, anxious, and less efficient.
We can take a Step in the right direction.
Learn to slow down. Choose a simple way of dealing with life by adopting a more productive and calm way.
No need to rush, enjoy your life, one step at a time!
Antoinette Giacobbe M.A.
