In a world that constantly demands more from us: more productivity, more speed, more multitasking, it can be incredibly refreshing to embrace slower, more intentional activities. Slow activities offer an opportunity to step back, reduce stress, and find joy in the present moment. Whether its enjoying a hobby, spending time in nature, or simply indulging in a quiet moment, these slower pursuits help us reconnect with ourselves and our surroundings.
Here’s a list of slow activities to bring more mindfulness and joy into your routine. Take on board the ones that apply closest to your desires and circumstance!
- Cooking a meal from scratch
- My recent dish: toad in the hole with roast veggies, baked beans, and caramelised onions – the British version of soul food, it really made my family feel better! (check out my article that has a list of all my favourite go-to dishes!)
- Types of cooking: for example; Slow cooking encourages mindfulness, from chopping ingredients to savouring the final product. It’s a creative and sensory experience that can transform a routine task into a relaxing ritual. Extra: Don’t watch The Bear while eating! It will unravel all the relaxation you just gained. I’m speaking from experience!
- Reading a book
- Immerse yourself in a thrilling story or explore new ideas. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, reading allows you to slow down and engage your imagination at your own pace.
- How this helps you: reading offers mental relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances cognitive function. It also nurtures empathy and broadens your worldview, creating a mental escape from daily pressures.
- Extra: I’m reading Circe at the moment! What about you? (text box? Or just recommend the book?).
- Gardening
- Tending to plants, whether indoors or outdoors, is a perfect way to connect with nature and experience the satisfaction of nurturing life at a relaxed pace.
- How this helps you: gardening promotes physical activity, helps relieve anxiety, and increases feelings of accomplishment as you watch plants grow. I also fosters a sense of peace and connection to nature.
- Extra: dad took up gardening which has led him to loose weight gradually, he has type 2 diabetes, since gardening he’s been able to get out of talks with his doctor about having to take insulin as a last resort! No more low calorie diets either! I feel this is important to say because that is the only thing in his lifestyle that had changed – so gardening has a massive tick from me and my dad.
- Walking in nature
- Taking a slow, leisurely walk through the park, forest, or around your neighbourhood. Walking is a wonderful way to clear your mind, reflect, boost your mood, and be mindful of your surroundings.
- How this helps you: Walking in nature has a calming effect on the mind, lowers stress levels, and improves mental clarity. It also promotes physical health by supporting cardiovascular fitness!
- Knitting or crocheting
- These hands-on crafts are relaxing and repetitive, allowing you to focus and unwind. Plus, you end up with beautiful, handmade creations that you can cherish or gift to others. (guilty of keeping most of my creations to myself in my ‘sentimental items’ storage box).
- How this helps you: knitting or crocheting provides a therapeutic outlet for creativity, reduces anxiety, and improves concentration. The rhythmic movements can be a form of moving meditation, helping to calm the mind.
- Painting or drawing
- Expressing yourself through art allows you to slow down and immerse yourself in creativity. It’s a great way to focus on the present moment and let go of stress.
- How this helps you: art encourages self-expression, enhances problem-solving skills, and provides emotional release. It also helps build confidence and improves mental health by fostering positive emotions.
- Puzzles or board games
- Engage your mind with jigsaw puzzles, crossword, puzzles, or a quiet boardgame. These activities help you slow down and focus, creating a sense of accomplishment when completed.
- How this helps you: Puzzles and boardgames enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and stimulate problem-solving abilities. They’re also a great way to connect with others (unless you’re playing with a hothead or sore loser!) and enjoy some downtime.
- Journalling
- Writing your thoughts down in a journal can help you process emotions, reflect on your day, or explore your creative side. It’s a therapeutic and reflective activity that invites you to slow down.
- Journalling helps reduce stress, clarify thought, and promote self-awareness. It also provides an outlet for emotional release and can foster gratitude, helping you appreciate life more fully.
- Listening to music
- Taking the time to truly listen to your favorite album, explore new genres, or simply sit back and enjoy the sound. Music can be incredibly grounding when listened to without distractions
- How this helps you: music has a powerful impact on mood, reducing stress and anxiety. It can improve emotional well-being, enhance focus, and promote relaxation, helping you unwind after a busy day.
- Photography
- Slow down and capture the beauty around you. Whether you’re photographing nature, people, or everyday moments, photography encourages you to appreciate details and moments you might otherwise miss.
- How this helps you: photography enhances mindfulness by encouraging you to focus on the present moment. It allows for creative expression and provides a rewarding way to document and preserve memories.
- Meditation and deep breathing
- Just a few minutes of mindful breathing or mediation can help you calm your mind and connect with your body, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
- How this helps you: meditation and deep breathing help lower stress levels, improve emotional resilience, and foster inner peace. These practices can also boost focus, clarity, and mental well-being.
- Baking
- Baking requires patience and attention to detail, from measuring ingredients to waiting for that delicious aroma to fill the air. The process is meditative, and the reward is a sweet treat to enjoy.
- How this helps you: baking is a great way to unwind, improve your concentration, and experience the satisfaction of creating something from scratch. It also provides an opportunity to share your creations with others, promoting connection.
- Stargazing! If London ever sorts out its pollution problem I may be able to participate one day!
- Lie on your back and watch the stars. Stargazing invites you to pause, reflect, and take in the vast beauty of the night sky, offering a peaceful escape from daily life.
- How this helps you: Stargazing can be deeply meditative experience, helping you to put things into perspective, reduce anxiety, and feel more connected to the world around you.
- Crafting or DIY projects
- Whether its making candles, soap, pottery, or simple home décor, crafting lets you slow down and enjoy the process of creating something with your hands.
- How this helps you: crafting encourages creativity, relieves stress, and provides a sense of accomplishment. It can also be a great way to personalise your home and give thoughtful gifts to others!
- Sewing and quilting!
- Sewing can be a slow therapeutic process that encourages focus and creativity. Plus, it’s a productive way to relax while making items like clothing or home accessories.
- How this helps you: sewing and quilting enhance focus, improve fine motor skills, and offer a calming effect. These activities also provide a tangible reward for your efforts, whether it’s a handmade garment or quilt.
- Fishing (I wish I could say I got this idea from Bob Mortimer fishing series but alas, I got this idea while watching Hannibal).
- Spend time by the water, fishing encourages patience and mindfulness. It’s about the experience of being outside and enjoying the quiet moments as much as it is about catching fish.
- How this helps you: Fishing promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances focus. The slow pace of fishing encourages mindfulness, making it a great way to unwind in nature.
- Tea Ceremony
- Taking time to brew a cup or even pot of tea slowly and mindfully, whether you’re practicing a traditional tea ceremony or simply enjoying a quiet moment, offers a ritualistic break in your day.
- How this helps you: a tea ceremony encourages calm, mindfulness, and relaxation. It allows you to centre yourself and take a break from the fast-paced world, promoting mental clarity and well-being.
- Birdwatching
- Find a quiet spot outdoors and observe the birds around you. Birdwatching allows you to slow down, be present in nature, and appreciate the simple beauty of the world.
- How this helps you: Birdwatching improves concentration, enhances mindfulness, and helps you develop patience. It’s a peaceful, grounding activity that brings you closer to nature.
- Yoga
- Yoga invites you to focus on your breath and movement, bringing both your mind and body into harmony. The slow pace and mindfulness of yoga are perfect for relaxation.
- How this helps you: Yoga improves flexibility, strength, and balance while also reducing stress. It promotes mental clarity, emotional stability, and mindfulness, enhancing overall well-being.
- Scrapbooking (something I’m eager to try out and you should too!).
- Creating a scrapbook allows you to reflect on memories and celebrate meaningful moments. The process itself is soothing, and the final result is a personal keepsake to enjoy for years to come.
- How this helps you: Scrapbooking encourages creativity, preserves memories, and foster gratitude. It’s a calming, reflective process that can improve your mood and provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Visiting a museum or art gallery
- Spend time quietly observing and reflecting on art. Museums and galleries encourage a slower pace as you immerse yourself in the stories and emotions conveyed through visual art.
- How this helps you: visiting museums and art galleries fosters cultural appreciation, boosts creativity, and provides an opportunity for introspection. The experience promotes mindfulness and emotional well-being.
- Extra!: if you live in a city, especially London, there are so many museums and galleries you can go to for free! If you don’t live near a city you can make a day of it, plan ahead and get excited for a fun day out, aim to do it twice a year if that’s possible! These buildings really slow down time, you can go at your own pace and take in all the amazing historical artifacts around you (and its your choice whether or not to read the plaques!)
- Biking at a leisurely pace
- Take a relaxing bike ride through scenic routes or quiet streets. Cycling at a leisurely pace allows you to enjoy the outdoors without the rush while still being active.
- How this helps you: biking promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and provides a sense of freedom and relaxation. It allows you to connect with nature and clear your mind.
- Extra!: doing this activity in the Netherlands is on my bucket list, it might have something to do with the lack of hills, but mainly because of the beautiful scenery!
- Candle making
- Crafting your own candles is a calming activity that involves patience and attention to detail. Plus, the result is a beautiful, personalised candle to enhance your home.
- How this helps you: candle making encourages creativity, provides a meditative experience, and leaves you with a tangible product to enjoy. It’s also a wonderful way to create personalised gifts!
- Collage art
- Cutting, pasting, and assembling photos, ticket stubs, and momentos into a collage can be a deeply reflective activity, helping you relive memories in a creative way.
- How this helps you: collage art allows you to reflect on life’s special moments, boosts creativity, and help with emotional processing, all while offering a relaxing, fulfilling experience.
- Picnicking
- Pack a simple meal, head to a park, and enjoy your food slowly in the company of nature or loved ones. A picnic offers a change of pace and a chance to savor food and companionship in a relaxed setting.
- How this helps you: picnicking encourages mindfulness, offers an opportunity for social connection, and promotes relaxation. It’s an enjoyable way to take a break and appreciate nature.
- Origami
- The art of folding paper into intricate designs offers a quiet, meditative process that is both calming and rewarding as you create delicate works of art from a single sheet of paper.
- How this helps you: origami improves concentration, enhances fine motor skills, and offers a sense of satisfaction and peace. It’s a quiet, creative activity that promotes mindfulness and focus.
- Calligraphy
- Practicing the art of beautiful handwriting can be incredibly relaxing. Calligraphy is a slow, focused activity that encourages precision and mindfulness with each stroke.
- How this helps you: Calligraphy promotes focus, improves fine motor skills and reduces stress. The meditative process helps improve patience and fosters a sense of accomplishment as you refine your technique.
Embrace the Joy of Slowing Down
Incorporating slow, enjoyable activities into your life doesn’t require a huge time commitment, its about being intentional with how you spend your moments. By embracing activities like cooking, reading, gardening, and more, you can create a life that’s centered around peace, reflection, and joy. So, take a step back, slow down, and savor the beauty of these simple yet fulfilling pursuits. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you for it.
