Read this now: Slow down to speed up

Many things are good, many things are important, but just a few are essential. 
~Dr. Todd Christopherson.

I spent nearly 30 years in radio. Dead air was anathema. Announcers and GMs shuttered at it and feared it.

The Bible says there is a season for everything, so there are times when dead air is okay and moments when dead air is necessary. And it’s not taboo. It’s a time to catch your breath, gather your thoughts, listen to the sounds and hear God’s voice.

Now is the time to slow down. Everything is not on fire. And we can slow down to speed up. In a world that tells us we must speed up and keep up, slowing down is essential. Busy is not always better. Hectic is the world’s way, but you don’t have to participate. Contrary to public opinion, you don’t have to keep up with the Joneses.

It’s easy to get swept up in the feeling of needing to do more, finish this or start that. But, it’s essential to slow down. It’s more than just smelling the roses. It’s about your sanity.

How do I know you need to slow down?

That doesn’t take a rocket scientist. Everything in this world agrees. Everything in your life says so. Today more than ever, stress, finances, and fear are overwhelming Americans.

You will accomplish more with less. You will finish more by starting less. You can speed up by slowing down.

Take a deep breath. Breathe out. Go ahead, do it again. And one more time. Can you sit and do nothing for five minutes? Go ahead, let’s try it.

I would guess you got a minute or less into that session, and your mind started yelling at you about everything you need to or should be doing, right? What would change in your life if you could slow down, even a little? Would you agree that slowing down should be a quality goal for your life?

Well, we’d like to help. Here are some things that we are trying.

Do one thing at a time. Don’t multitask. Studies show that you can’t multi-task anyway. Your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. An attempt to multi-task breeds mistakes, steals focus, and leaves work — and life — undone and frustration overflowing. Remember, if you chase two rabbits, you won’t catch either one. What would happen if you picked one thing on your list and focused on that one thing for one day — or even one hour?

Take some time to disconnect. Put the phone down, and turn off the computer and TV. Turn off the music, the white noise. Sit on the patio with your favorite drink and listen to the sounds. You don’t have to go anywhere, the clothes in the dryer can wait, and you can mow the grass tomorrow. Breathe. You can even take the challenge.

Plan to sleep. Yes, set your alarm — to go to bed. We put kids and babies to bed at a particular time. Why not you? We have an alarm to get up, so it would be easy to set one to go to bed. Think about it. It will work for you too. Be diligent and intentional. Get your rest.

Cross something off your to-do list. Take something off the list that you haven’t done. Yes, you read that right. We have things on our lists that we haven’t done in days or weeks. Take it off the list. It must not be critical or that important anyway if you haven’t already done it, right? You can add it back when it’s more vital, but right now, it’s about your health and sanity.

Make a list. Not a grocery list or a to-do list. Make a grateful list. Write down 20 things you are thankful for. You’ll get to 10 quickly, but the next ten may take a few minutes. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Add some white space to something. White space is an old newspaper advertising term, meaning not to have as much print and leave extra white space in the ad. Add some white space to something. Your closet, schedule, home, garage, and life. In other words, delete something. Take a breath.

Enjoy your drink. Whatever your special drink, sip it slowly and enjoy it. Don’t drink it as a means to an end, but drink a sip, then take a deep breath. Savor the taste.

Read or journal. This is important. It will quieten your soul and help separate you from the craziness. Find a book, periodical, devotion, or something you can read — not the daily news — preferably at the same time and in the same place every morning. Elizabeth journals, and she’s been doing it so long that she can go back and read what was going in our lives in past years on this date.

Stop comparing yourself to others. You don’t need to keep up with the Joneses; they’re broke. Run your race in your lane. You were born an original, don’t die a copy (John Mason).

Live like a dog for an hour. Seriously, did you know a study shows that petting a dog for 10-15 minutes daily can lower your blood pressure by 10%? The study says hanging around with your pet releases serotonin, oxytocin, and prolactin and can reduce the stress hormone cortisol. Read this: Take some tips for a dog.

Here are a few scripture reminders.

• Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
• Isaiah 32:17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11 And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.

Which one of the above ideas can you take today and implement? Take some time today to slow down. If you can’t start with an hour, start with five minutes. It will lower your stress and anxiety and allow you to focus better. Your body and your mind will thank you.