We all know the tale of the hare and the tortoise, but do we ever think of the benefits of stepping down a gear? For many city-dwelling commuters like us who live life in the fast lane, it can be tempting to let the city’s endless conveyor belt dictate our fast-paced lifestyle. But maybe it’s about time we listened to that wise old tortoise and took the scenic route for once. ‘Slow Down London’ is a new project intended to inspire Londoners to hold their horses and teach us how to, well, slow down.
With festivals, events and general encouragement SDL is giving us a chance to rediscover things like yoga and meditation, slow music, slow travel and the opportunity to challenge the cult of speed. Apparently the benefits include an ‘improved quality [of life], creativity and wellbeing’. From slow food markets, slow breakfast offers at Royal Festival Hall’s award winning Canteen, to nice slow walks, it’s easy to see that hitting the brakes occasionally may not be so bad after all.
Here are some tips on slowing down courtesy of Slow Down London:
Take a real lunch break
Eat al fresco, not al desko! Go and look at something; eat your lunch in peace, away from your workplace.
Notice your speed
Are you rushing? Do you need to?
Be still
Research shows that a goalkeeper who stands still when facing a penalty has a higher chance of saving a goal.
Breathe
Three deep breaths will help clear our heads and give us a new perspective on a situation.
Look up and around
Rushing around the city we often forget to see what is around us.
Start your day differently
Wake up five minutes earlier than usual so you have time to get dressed and have breakfast without hurrying.
Switch it off
It might be your email or your phone - take some down time to relax.
So, try ‘living life in real time’ as their strapline suggests and log onto www.slowdownlondon.co.uk for your chance to ease up and stop to smell the flowers once in a while.
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