Life can be so hectic and overwhelming that it feels difficult to put our foot on the brakes and slow down. Often, we are surrounded by external pressures that place value in performing at a faster pace; while this can still be productive sometimes, we are likely to burn ourselves out if we aren’t able to find an appropriate balance that works for us.
Admittedly, this realization came to me as I was replaying a game from my childhood called “Starfox Adventures” on the GameCube. I found myself becoming agitated and frustrated with a particular level after playing for a while. Eventually, I thought to myself, “What would happen if I calmed down, breathed a little, and said, ‘I can do this’?”. After taking those moments, I was able to observe the level with more clarity and patience— and I beat it immediately!
Stepping back to pause for a moment or two can go a long way. Here are some ways we can practice slowing down:
- Schedule breaks. Write on a post-it note, your calendar, or log in your phone reminders to take breaks throughout the day. Use that time—even just five minutes—to stretch or step away from daunting tasks. It can be helpful to have your schedule in a place you frequent (for example, your desk), as this can help with consistency!
- Limit excessive multitasking. Jot down a list of your responsibilities for the day and complete them one at a time before starting on the next. Similar to your schedule for breaks, keep your list in an easily accessible spot as well. You could also section your tasks by duration and priority (try creating your list the day before to save time).
- Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness allows us to enhance our awareness and become present. Through this, we are able to tap into senses we may have otherwise dismissed. Perhaps you start to notice the texture of your shirt or that you tend to tense up in the middle of your back. Present-based awareness can assist us in recognizing what our warning signs are when we’re overwhelmed, essential as a reminder to ground ourselves and regulate.
By slowing down with intention—whether through breaks, focused attention, or mindfulness—we create space to recharge and approach life with more clarity. Even small pauses can make a big difference, reminding us that balance is not about doing less, but about moving forward with greater presence and purpose.
—
About Tiana Kemp:
Tiana is an intern at Healthy Minds Therapy, currently pursuing her master’s degree at New England College (Henniker, New Hampshire) in their online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. At New England College, Tiana also attained her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She has also served in the United States Marine Corps. Tiana strives to support the transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) community by implementing gender-affirming approaches that integrate mindfulness-based approaches and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). To learn more about Tiana, visit HERE.