Discover the art of slow living — Groov | Workplace Mental Wellbeing Platform

Slow Living is a movement where people decide to live a more balanced, meaningful life through slowing things down and appreciating both the world around them and what they have. 

Some people define Slow Living as simply making more time for self-care. Others define it as stepping away from ‘traditional’ goals – such as full-time employment or mainstream schooling – in pursuit of a slower lifestyle. 

However you choose to define Slow Living, there are some core principles that tie it together. For example, breathing, self-care, and prioritising relationships. 

It’s not always easy to slow down or push ‘pause’ on commitments, but sprinkling some Slow Living principles throughout your daily life can help you feel calmer, especially when the world feels chaotic. 

Now is the time to take a moment and really embrace the movement of Slow Living.

Here are some of the core principles of Slow Living. Maybe you’ll find something here that will work for you.

Take time to breathe (deeply)

Simple? Yes – but all too easy to forget. Deep breathing is an excellent (and free!) way to invite more slowness into your everyday life. 

Consciously slowing down your breath will help you to feel more connected to your senses and grounded in the present moment. 

If you’re new to breathing as a mindfulness tool, try one of our Guided Breathing Exercises to get started. 

Embrace simplicity

One of the main philosophies of the Slow Living movement is the idea of voluntary simplicity, where you can choose to remove the excess from your life to enjoy things more. 

This could take the form of decluttering your home Marie Kondo-style, where you get rid of the items that no longer ‘spark joy’. Your home is your den, your comfort, so getting rid of mess will let you create a warmer, more welcoming place to enjoy each day.

Slow down to cook

Cooking is a great way to experience slow living. In fact, there’s even a Slow Food Movement that promotes traditional cooking. 

Try slowing down to cook and appreciate eating food – engaging with the sensory experience of textures, tastes, and smells.

Not only will this help you enjoy your food more, but it’s also an excellent way to practice mindfulness.