There’s a default setting in life right now, and that setting is hurry, fast, rush. And even if we don’t consciously think about that, the fact is that we’ll more than likely be rushing through mornings, work, conversations, even relaxation time, and we’re happy about it – being busy has somehow become proof that we’re on top of things and doing life the right way. And if you’re tired, stressed, and juggling too much, it’s just seen as normal, even though it’s actually potentially quite dangerous.
Maybe that’s why more and more people are starting to question things and wonder why everything’s all go, go, go all the time. It’s not that they want to be less ambitious or they stop caring about getting things done, but they’ve noticed that it’s potentially causing problems, and they’re getting worn down and exhausted. In the end, choosing a healthier pace doesn’t mean you have to stop everything as long as you find a routine that works for you. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Fast Doesn’t Always Mean Effective
Moving quickly can feel pretty productive, but the truth that you need to remember is that speed and effectiveness generally aren’t the same thing, and when everything is urgent, nothing’s really going to be getting the attention it needs – that leads to rushed decisions (never a good idea), missed mistakes, and problems that get a short term fix instead of something that’s going to help in the future too.
When you’re doing things at a healthier pace, it gives you time to think more, and then you’ll have better judgement about things – you won’t just be reacting all the time, which as well as often leading to mistakes is also pretty exhausting. You’ll probably find that if you slow down a bit, you’ll actually get more done just because you’re not having to go back and correct mistakes or finish things you forgot all the time.
The Body Notices When You’re Doing Too Much
Your mind might be insisting that all is well and you can keep going, but the body doesn’t always agree, and it’ll usually get to a point where you just burn out. Some of the symptoms to watch out for include headaches, exhaustion, stress, poor sleep, and irritability, and all these things are often signs that the pace of life has been too much for too long. The problem is, the symptoms tend to build up slowly, so you might not notice what’s happening until you’re well into it.
Of course, you don’t have to stop everything to fix the problem, but slowing down can definitely help. So you might do shorter days, for example, or give yourself fewer commitments, or perhaps look at everything you’re doing and make some more realistic expectations, and so on. For some people, it might be a bigger wake up call that makes them realize something needs sorting, and that’s why support spaces like a rehab centre exist – just be honest with yourself about what it is you actually need.
A Healthier Pace Improves Relationships
When life moves too fast, it’s your relationships that often lose out because all they get is whatever energy you happen to have left over – you’ll rush through interactions, you’re not going to listen as well as you should, and you’ll spend less time together because you’ll have less time overall, but you’ll also be absolutely exhausted in general.
Slowing down even a little bit can help all this, and you’ll start to feel a bit more present with your loved ones – once you start to feel the difference, you’ll make more and more time for it.
Rest Isn’t A Reward
One of the biggest things you need to change in your life if you want a healthier pace is letting go of the idea that you can’t actually rest until you’ve earned the time to do so. The fact is that rest isn’t something you can only have when you’ve pushed yourself as hard as you can go and you’re on the edge of exhaustion – it’s something the body and mind actually need to function.
You don’t have to have long breaks or take time off unless you want to, as long as you make time for a few small breaks and pauses through the day. That way, you’re maintaining a good pace and letting your body and mind relax when they need to, and in the end, that’s going to keep you going for longer, and you can be more productive in what you’re doing.
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