One of the hardest yet most valuable gifts Taurus has to give us is the permission to go slow. The pace that Earth, and everything living within, grows and evolves is actually a lot slower than our minds would have us believe. To put it in perspective, if the history of the earth was written as a 500 page book, the time passed since the Industrial Revolution until now would only be a few pages. If you were to read the book out loud at a steady pace, you would likely spend only a few seconds reading those few pages, while the rest of the book would take hours or even days to read. This slowness is the natural pace of life on Earth, even though humans have created a false urgency and pace through technological advancements, our bodies and nervous systems haven’t evolved to go that fast.
In today's fast-paced society, we're constantly bombarded with the message that we need to be productive, efficient and always moving forward. This cultural pressure to produce and go fast can be overwhelming and even detrimental to our health and well-being. It's important to remember that it's okay to go at your own pace and prioritize your physical, mental and nervous system health.
When we constantly push ourselves to go faster and do more, we can easily become burnt out and exhausted. Taking time to slow down can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. By slowing down, we can also focus more on our bodies and listen to what they need. This can lead to better self-care practices such as proper hydration, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise.
Mental health can greatly benefit from going at your own pace. When we feel pressured to keep up with others or meet certain deadlines, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. By slowing down, we can reduce feelings of overwhelm and give ourselves time to reflect and process our thoughts and emotions. This can lead to increased self-awareness and a better understanding of our needs and boundaries.
Our nervous system also plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. When we're constantly on the go and in a state of high alert, our nervous system can become overstimulated, leading to chronic stress and even burnout. Slowing down and engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as meditation, deep breathing, gentle exercise or intuitive movement can help. Beyond the individual experience, as humans we are wired to be social beings so when we are constantly rushing around and feeling disconnected from others, our nervous system can become dysregulated, leading to chronic feelings of anxiety and even social isolation. Engaging in activities that promote social connection, such as spending time with loved ones or engaging in hobbies we enjoy, can help activate our ventral vagal/social engagement system, which creates a natural state of calm and relaxation.
So, how can we slow down and be present in the moment? Here are some tips:
🧘🏽♀️Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being fully present and aware of the present moment. It can help reduce stress and increase feelings of calm and relaxation. You can practice mindfulness by focusing on your breath, taking a walk in nature, or simply observing your surroundings without judgment.
✅Set realistic expectations: It's important to set realistic expectations and avoid putting too much pressure on ourselves to do more than we can handle. This can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and prevent burnout.
☕️Take breaks: Regular breaks throughout the day can help reduce stress and increase productivity. You can take a short walk, practice a breathing exercise, or simply close your eyes and rest for a few minutes.
🛁Prioritize self-care: Self-care is crucial for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. This can include activities such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and engaging in regular exercise or physical activity. You can read more about self care beyond the bathtub here.
✋🏼Practice saying no: It's okay to say no to things that don't align with our values or priorities. Learning to say no can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and give us more time and energy to focus on the things that matter most.
Going at your own pace is crucial for maintaining physical, mental, and nervous system health. While it may go against cultural norms and expectations, prioritizing self-care and taking time to slow down can lead to greater feelings of calm, relaxation, and overall well-being.
This is the work I do with people in 1-1 sessions. My books are open, so please reach out if you’d like support.
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