Jo Peters - Slow: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Hectic World

Copyright Summersdale Publishers Ltd, 2018

Text and picture research by Anna Martin

Additional text by Abi McMahon

Yoga poses taken from The Little Book of Yoga by Eleanor Hall

Front cover image Floral Deco/Shutterstock.com
Back cover images clockwise from top left Yuliya Gontar, everst, Anna Aibetova, Nina Firsova, Jacob Lund, Andrekart Photography, Maya Kruchankova, STLJB, Sjale, Daria Minaeva/Shutterstock.com

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INTRODUCTION

It seems today that we have reached the stage of turning every moment into some sort of race. We rush to work, we rush to make dinner, we rush to get the children organised, we rush our correspondence and social interactions where will it end? Its no wonder that many of us are made breathless by our everyday lives and want to somehow step off the treadmill. Slow living is just that a chance to stop the idea that being busy is the be-all and end-all, to start paying attention to the important things in life, and to slow down to a pace that is right for you.

Living slowly is a stepping stone to happiness and good health, because when we live at a slower pace, we are more in the moment and able to immerse ourselves in what we are doing and take the full pleasure from it. Taking the slow lane means fewer mistakes are made, and it offers us the opportunity to be more considered in our actions. In terms of health, slowing down calms our breathing and reduces stress. There is the added benefit of building stronger relationships with friends and loved ones by taking the time to connect with each other.

Slow isnt about low efficiency or giving up your job, or being idle. Its about creating balance and allocating pockets of time to plan, to think, to reflect, to observe, and to give focus to whats important to do things better instead of faster and in turn to become more productive.

How different would your life be if you werent whirling from one thing to the next, trying to keep the plates spinning in the air? Slow gives you the tools to do just that we set out ways to streamline your life and make it simpler, more efficient and more productive by doing things at the right speed the rest is up to you.

THE ORIGINS OF THE SLOW MOVEMENT

The slow movement began with the creation of the slow food movement in 1986, after a man named Carlo Petrini protested against the approval of a fast-food restaurant in the Piazza di Spagna, in the heart of Rome. The slow food movement promotes the principles of organic, non-processed foods where the chain from farm to table has a minimal impact on the environment.

The concept of slow has since filtered down into other parts of modern society, such as slow parenting and slow cities, culminating in the formation of the Norway-based World Institute of Slowness in 1999 by Geir Berthelsen, which aims to teach the world the ways of slow living.

Another notable advocate of slow living is Carl Honor, who, in his 2004 book, In Praise of Slow, explored how slow living could be applied and maintained, particularly in a business environment.

Why be fast when you can be slow?

GEIR BERTHLESEN, FOUNDER OF THE WORLD INSTITUTE OF SLOWNESS

SLOW HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

HOW TO SLOW DOWN TIME

This may seem like a tall order, but there are many ways to slow down this section is all about discovering a slow ritual that works for you.

MINDFULNESS CELEBRATE THE MOMENT

Maintaining a mindful attitude is a very positive way of slowing down time. Mindfulness is about focusing on the magic of the present moment. Rather than fretting about the past or worrying about the future, the aim is to experience life as it unfolds, moment by moment. This simple practice is immensely powerful and an effective tool for slowing down to a more comfortable pace. As we rush through our lives, mindfulness encourages us to stop constantly striving for something new or better and to embrace acceptance and gratitude. Many of us rush through our daily routines on autopilot, barely noticing what we are doing. An easy way to focus your attention on the present moment is to concentrate on simple tasks. For instance, make your bed with 100 per cent focus and attention each morning so you create a calm transition from bedroom and sleep to the outside world and the rest of your day. You might also find it useful to sit quietly for a few minutes in the morning so that you can calmly contemplate the day ahead, instead of rushing straight into your days activities, or to embrace your time in the shower, taking a moment to think about the running water washing away sleep, energising you for the rest of the day.

Reconnect with your body using breathing exercises

Slow, deep breathing re-oxygenates the body, which slows our heartbeat and stabilises blood pressure. Try this exercise for instant calm. This can be done at any time of the day, whether before bed, first thing in the morning or at your desk in the office. The practice is simple: close your eyes and focus on your breath. Think only about your breath and the way it feels coming into your body and then out. Once you are fully aware of your breathing, try taking deeper breaths, breathing in for a count of six and then out for a count of six. Stay focused on your breath for five minutes. Integrating this exercise into your daily routine will help you on your way to feeling more relaxed.

DO LESS, NOTICE MORE

Instead of cramming as much as possible into your day, do less and do it more slowly, more fully and with more concentration. Take the time to immerse yourself fully in whatever activity youre doing, whether youre cooking supper or chatting to a friend, even for the less fun activities like cleaning the dishes. You should find your experiences relaxing and fulfilling when youre not rushing through them.

STAY GROUNDED

The next time you find yourself rushing it could be when youre on an errand or whizzing round the supermarket to get the evening meal focus your awareness on your feet. Try to slow down your pace and feel your feet connecting you with the ground. How does it feel? Warm, cold, hard, uneven or even soft? Thinking about something as simple as the ground beneath your feet will help you to gain a sense of balance and perspective, and most importantly, slow you down.