Slow Down Your Life
When was the last time you did nothing? By design, not by accident. Today, if every minute of every day isn’t filled, it seems you’re not part of the majority. But at what cost?

Not only is sleep a physical necessity in order for our bodies to function, but one night of sleep deprivation (too few hours or interrupted hours) is as impairing behind the wheel of a car as being legally intoxicated. Not only sleep, but rest as well, is what combats stress. Our bodies have one stress response – on or off. Down time allows our bodies to turn off that response. Problems arise when we have stress that doesn’t get resolved and our bodies stay “on.” We build up a stress “resistance,” skewing our normal base line so it becomes easier and easier to get stressed and harder and harder to return to a normal base line.

There are many ways to slow down your life, but here are a few for you to consider.

• Bring back a day of rest. Set aside one day during the weekend when you do absolutely no work. Force yourself, if you have to, to enjoy the world around you.

• Be daring. Every once in a while, cross a few things off your to-do list. Accept the fact that you can’t accomplish everything – and that’s perfectly okay.

• Snooze away on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and don’t feel guilty about it.

• Take a stroll. Bring the dog, a friend or just yourself and wander with no particular destination in mind.

• Turn off the television – gasp! Live for a day or two each week without the distraction of television and revel in the peace and calm of your household.

Problems arise when we have stress that doesn’t get resolved and our bodies stay “on.”