We live in a very fast-paced and restless world where time slips away in the blink of an eye. Before we know it, another year has passed, or five years have passed and we are still trying to catch our breath, while chasing the next goal or trophy that is floating up ahead. It can get tough trying to keep up, but it can also get even harder trying to maintain that speed over time. One of the hardest things to do when you’re running 100 miles an hour is to find ways to slow down. These five tips might just be your golden nugget to getting yourself to slow down and smell the roses along the way.

1. Go on a walk – Seriously!

Taking the time in the day to step away and just walk outside can be a great way to reset your mind. It’ll give you a chance to breathe, think, reflect, and just be. The added bonus of moving as well, at a more leisurely pace, will also help you slow down your mind and thoughts. Getting some vitamin D from being out in the sun is also always a great added bonus and mood booster. Many of us are stuck inside all day and we sit behind our computers as time passes. Take a break. Step away and humanize yourself.

2. Get comfortable with saying ‘no’

If you are a people pleaser, odds are you struggle with saying ‘no’. If you’re someone who wants to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, you might also struggle with saying ‘no’. In turn, you overwhelm yourself and overload your schedule. The first step here is removing the negative connotation you have with saying ‘no’. Saying ‘no’ doesn’t make you a bad person, and it doesn’t make you a lazy or ungrateful person. Sometimes saying ‘no’ is the BEST thing you can do. Saying ‘no’ to the things that don’t really matter or serve you, opens up space for the things that do. Sometimes saying ‘no’ means that you understand the value of your time and the opportunity cost that this event brings. You have to allow time for yourself and allow space to take a pause when you need it. If you are constantly saying ‘yes’ to everything, you’ll never have time to entertain the idea of slowing down.

3. Read a book

Ah, the joys of reading. If you haven’t discovered the joy of reading, you might want to read Read More. You Might Just Enjoy It Again. Reading is a great way to yourself to disconnect from your to-do list and just be in the moment. Reading allows your mind to escape to another place, be it fiction or non-fiction, while also doing one of the hardest things in today’s world – pulling you away from your phone. Reading is a great way to slow down and get lost in something else. It’s also a great way to ensure that you are making time for yourself. Find yourself a quiet, comfortable place, and your favorite warm drink and get lost in some pages of paper.

4. Spend time with friends

Spending time with friends can be one of the most fun ways to slow down. The possibilities are endless. Whether it be watching a sports game with your friends, going on a hike, going out to dinner or the nearest bar, or something as grand as taking a trip, spend time with your friends. Work will always be there for the rest of your life. There is no doubt about that, but make sure you keep your friends along the way. There’s nothing worse than having it all on paper, yet no one to share it with. Don’t get so caught up in life and work that you forget to look up and around you. Always make sure you have people to share things with – the highs and the lows. Slowing down and making the extra effort to spend time with your friends will ensure that.

5. Be spontaneous

This is my favorite, because it can truly be anything! Carve away some time to let life happen. Block out your Saturday and text the group message to see who’s available. Make it a point to do something fun next Wednesday evening after work. Collect your PTO days so you can take a multi-day vacation. Whatever it is, leave time to be spontaneous. The only way you can do this, is if you say ‘no’ to the things that aren’t really serving you. Who knows what you’ll do with this time, but it’s important to claim it before someone else does. Remember, there are so many different ways to slow down. You could just end up binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix, or maybe you’ll end up doing a road trip with friends, or even a staycation with your best friend or partner. That’s the exciting part of being spontaneous. Make space for the time and decide later on how you fill it.

I think it’s important to note that slowing down doesn’t mean being lazy. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t ambitious. Slowing down just means that you’re enjoying the moment and all the beauty that this season of life has to offer. Odds are you notice a lot more of your surroundings when you’re driving through a neighborhood, than when you’re driving on the highway, but you’re still in route to your destination.  Life is no different. Sometimes you need to go 25 to be able to enjoy going 65.

While it might take a while for you to fully implement these things into your life, it’s important to not focus on perfection but instead to just start. Start anywhere, with any of these tips. Even if it might seem like the smallest thing to implement, this one change will not only have a massive positive effect on you, but it will also give you the motivation and courage to do more, or shall I say less, as time goes on. Do yourself a favor and slow down. I’m sure you won’t regret it.