Whether we know it or not, we’ve all suffered from ‘hectic-itis’ at some point in our lives. This common ailment happens when life gets so busy, fast-paced and hectic that it passes by in a blur often leaving us feeling exhausted, stressed out or even seriously ill. Although ‘hectic-itis’ may not be a scientifically defined ailment, the symptoms are all too real and can take a serious toll on your heart and your health.
When you are constantly running around trying to do too many things at once, you don’t give your body or mind a chance to rest and regenerate. In response, your body rebels by shutting down, which makes it very difficult to fight off bacteria, viruses and disease. In addition, stress and fatigue put a huge strain on your heart, which could lead to cardiovascular problems. This is why I advise my clients who have fast-paced lives to make a conscious effort to slow down the pace before those negative effects side effects set in and cause serious and irreversible damage to the body.
The Benefits of Slowing Down the Pace
When you step back and slow things down in your life, you are actually allowing your body to renew and regenerate itself. This allows your bodily systems to function better, aids in the elimination of harmful toxins, and conserves valuable energy that your body could be using to fight off internal and external pathogens. In addition, slowing things down creates a receptive environment where you can enjoy and appreciate life as it comes and regain your energy and balance.
How to Slow Things Down
1. Cut Out the Unnecessary
Think about what is really important to you in life, set your priorities, focus on what really matters and let go of the rest. When you cut out the unnecessary distractions and stresses in your life, you will find that you can get much more done in a quicker and more efficient manner. Plus, you will free up space to do the things that make you truly happy.
2. Focus on the Present
Stop worrying about what happened yesterday or what you need to do tomorrow and concentrate on the now. Focus on one task at a time and don’t let the outside world or your own inner voices distract you from what you need to do at this very moment. Even if you are not doing anything in particular, be aware of what is happening around you and how you feel at this particular instance.
3. Appreciate What You’ve Got
Studies show that people who express gratitude on a regular basis exercise more, report fewer physical ailments, make more progress towards their goals, sleep better, feel more connected to other people and feel better about life in general. Try to take time out every day to write down three things you are happy for or appreciate in your life. You may just find that when you focus on the good, the small things become less important, less likely to distract you and less likely to eat up your time.
4. Stop and Breathe
When stress or anxiety sets in, stop what you are doing and take a moment to just breathe deeply. Concentrate on your breathing and heartbeat only, and ignore the negative thoughts pushing through. This does wonders for rebalancing your equilibrium and putting things in perspective. Meditation is a great way to practice this technique.
5. Make Time for Yourself
Many people spend the majority of their time fulfilling obligations to other people, yet very few people set aside time just for themselves. Although it may feel selfish to concentrate solely on yourself, finding ‘me’ time is crucial for finding balance and developing as an individual. Try to find a slot of time every day to be on your own and do something you love, even if it is simply reading a newspaper, listening to music or taking a short walk.
As a cardiologist I know how difficult it can be to step back and slow down the pace, especially when you have job commitments, a family to care for, bills to pay and social obligations. It may seem like you don’t have a moment to spare, but I can honestly tell you that by cutting out the unnecessary and creating time for yourself to live in the moment, breathe and appreciate the good things in life, you will probably find that your energy levels will increase, you will get sick less often and you will feel a renewed sense of calm, focus and joy. Moreover, you will be doing an immense favor for your heart, body, mind and spirit.
© 2014. Dr. Cynthia Thaik. An excerpt from Your Vibrant Heart: Restoring Health, Strength, and Spirit from the Body’s Core.
