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Wellbeings: Dominic Bowden talks with Carl Honore on the science of slowing down
ARTICLE
17 March 2022
3 mins read
3 mins read
Small somethings: mindfulness in 10 minutes
Supported by AIA Vitality, 'WellBeings' is a podcast about the science of feeling good. Here we break down some key takeaways from host Dominic Bowden's conversation with Carl Honore, author of the bestselling book, 'In Praise of Slowness'
Before COVID-19 changed our lives, we lived in a world addicted to speed. But in the last two years, we were forced to slow down, which improved our productivity and quality of lif
Remember the adage: slow and steady wins the race. Here are 5 ways you can slow down and live a little more consciously.
1. Do less
It's hard to slow down when you're trying to do a million things at once – so why not start with the conscious choice to do less. Prioritise what really needs to be done and let go of the rest. Put space between tasks and appointments, so you can move through your days at a more leisurely pace.
2. Eat slower
Instead of trying to cram food down our throats as quickly as possible, learn to eat more slowly. Be mindful of each bite and appreciate the flavours and textures. Eating slowly has the added benefit of making food more enjoyable.
3. Drive slower
Speedy driving is a prevalent habit in our fast-paced world, but it's also responsible for a lot of traffic accidents, stress, and wasted fuel. Make it a habit to slow down when you drive. Appreciate your surroundings, make it a peaceful time to contemplate your life, and admire the landmarks you’re passing. You'll enjoy yourself more, save on fuel costs and reduce your emissions.
4. Single task
Multi-tasking was once a desirable skill in most office environments, but research shows that serial multi-taskers take longer to switch tasks than others. Multi-taskers can also have difficulty in organising thoughts and filtering out irrelevant information, making them much less efficient.
Instead, try to focus on one thing at a time. When you feel the urge to switch to other tasks, pause, breathe, and pull yourself back.
Have you tried meditation? Meditating can help you hone your monotasking skills.
5. Find pleasure in anything and everything
In whatever you do, appreciate every aspect of it and enjoy yourself – even if the task itself is boring. Try to bring yourself into the present moment, being mindful of where you are at what you're doing.
For example, when washing dishes, use all your senses to increase your enjoyment of the chore. Feel the sensation of the hot water of your skin, trace the varied bubble patterns with your eyes, and smell the scent of freshly washed plates – you can increase your enjoyment tenfold when you learn to experience things this way.
The same applies to other chores – washing the car, sweeping, dusting, laundry, or even exercise. Life can be so much more enjoyable if you implement this habit into your daily errands.
Wellbeings
Through conversations with some of the world's biggest names in the field, WellBeings explores the 'science of feeling good'. Through a series of podcasts and articles, we'll learn the simple practices that can help us all thrive, backed 100% by science.
It's about building a community for people to connect and find ways to not just go through an experience, but grow through it.
Head to www.wearewellbeings.com for the full content series.
Dominic Bowden
Stepping away from TV I felt rudderless, without a strong purpose. I realised I’d put a lot of my physical and mental health on the side, I was driven and ambitious to get ahead in both NZ and America but it was all external. I decided to put the focus on the internal, do a little “ME-search. Yes change does require effort but it doesn’t have to be hard. Little by little we can ALL acquire the skills to do BIG things, no matter what our age and most importantly make lasting and meaningful change in our lives.
Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
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This inspirational content is brought to you by AIA Vitality
AIA Vitality is a science-backed program that helps you learn more about your health,
offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way.
offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way.
