“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller
Who knew we could take so much wisdom from a chaotic high schooler? It is true though, we need to enjoy life as much as possible, because it flies by in the blink of an eye. Here are a few ways to slow down, smell the roses, and enjoy the daily hustle of life.
Meditation
You may not have hours to commit to a yoga practice or a week for a meditation retreat and that’s okay. Taking even five minutes to stop everything you are doing and just focus on your breathing will do wonders for your day and your outlook. It couldn’t be simpler – sit in a chair with your feet planted on the floor or sit cross legged on the floor, close your eyes and take deep breaths in and out. Only focus on the breath as it flows. If your mind wanders and starts thinking about other things, that’s okay, just gently bring it back to your breathing. Set a timer for five minutes and just let it be. Everyone has five minutes to spend on themselves. Mediation also helps us stay in the present moment. If you feel like your mind wanders too much with checklists and what ifs, try meditation to practice keeping your mind in the present. It will vastly improve your mindset, clear your head, and give need life to the rest of your day.
HALT
Other than literally meaning stop, HALT is an acronym that could save you from losing your cool in stressful situations. It stands for “Hungry,” “Angry,” “Lonely,” “Tired.” When you feel your blood boiling and are stressed, HALT and see what could be the underlying issue. Are you hungry and need to eat something? Tired and need to slow it down? These are the core variables that drastically change our moods and when we are experiencing any of these feelings, it puts us at our most vulnerable state. Be aware of your feelings and they will always steer you in the right direction.
Alone Time
It’s important to take time for yourself. You can’t take care of others unless you are taken care of yourself. Find a hobby or self-care activity you love and make time for it. Whether it’s a bath time ritual or reading a book a month, discover something that you can do by yourself that you look forward to. Sometimes we just need some quiet time to decompress to appreciate and thrive in the madness of life.
Communicating Your Needs
By staying present and understanding your feelings, you are able to communicate those with others around you. Never take your feelings for granted. If you need to slow down and take more time, do so. Being able to communicate your needs to family, friends and co-workers will help you live a healthier life. Stop assuming people know what you need and start letting them know how you are feeling. It will build better relationships.
Learning how to take life one day at a time and enjoy it for what it is isn’t easy. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that it’s important to stop and smell the roses every once in a while. Live your life like Ferris would – well maybe within reason.
