We have been living a slower paced life for a little while now. At first it took some getting used to, as any life style change does. I have compiled my top 10 benefits of living life in the slow lane to share with you.
1. More time with my family. This was one of the things I was chasing when we decided to switch our life around. I wanted to spend time with my boys before they were grown up and moved out. I also wanted to spend more time with my husband. He's the one I chose to spend my life with. It didn't make sense to me to be spending way more time with my co-workers than I was with my family.
2. I can enjoy the outdoors more often. I have way more opportunities to get outside. In the past I worked in an office and was literally stuck inside from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm (with no lunch) That meant some days in the winter I was going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. How depressing. Since my time is more flexible now, I can walk through my garden at lunch time or walk to the mail box for a mid-afternoon break. It seems like a small thing, but it makes a big difference in my overall happiness.
3. I am more creative. When you are always crazy busy you don't get a chance to let your brain rest and create. Being a naturally creative person, it was frustrating to not have the time to embrace my creative side.
4. I get a more restful sleep. When I was working full time as an employee I would continue thinking about my work all night long. This may be a personality thing, but for me it got to the point where I couldn't "turn off". It was too much and it effected my sleep. Thankfully that's changed, because sleep is so important to your overall health.
5. We eat healthier. It really doesn't take that much more time to prepare healthy foods, but when you are stressed and busy you just want something easy and fast. Typically you reach for the junk first. Once that's a habit, it's hard to break. It's takes too much mental energy that's been used up already to switch your focus to being healthy. With a most restful thought life, it's easier to manage a healthy diet.
6. I'm more productive. Stress effects productivity. To a point there's a certain level of stress that's good and keeps you motivated. When it's unending and too much it's counterproductive. When you are too busy, you actually become less productive. Anyone else ever feel like they were just going in circles, or running around like a chicken with it's head cut off?
7. I don't want as much. After spending some time adjusting to this life style I don't have the same wants. I actually don't want anything more. If you took me to the mall right now, I likely wouldn't buy anything. I'm able to see things more clearly for what they are. I'm much happier with less.
8. I am more grateful. I have slowed down enough to be able to notice and appreciate the little things. It's amazing what passes by you when you don't have the time to notice the small every day moment.
9. I feel more at peace.
10. I have realized I don't need that much money. Knowing just how little we can live off of has taken away some of the pressure to be constantly working and constantly striving for more.
So there you have it, 10 HUGE benefits I've noticed in living this slower paced life. If you've been struggling with any of these things, I may just have the answer for you. Slow down, simplify, examine and readjust your priorities.
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