As someone who thrives on a schedule and routine, finding time to slow down rarely ever has a defined place on my calendar. Whether it’s school, work, family, friends, etc. there is always something that we could be doing. We could be doing an extra task to get ahead at work, or we could be using any free time to check something off our to-do list, but we also could use those 10-15 minutes to just slow down. When I say slow down, I’m not talking about binging your favorite trash television show on Hulu, but instead, I’m talking about true time to yourself (minus screens). Easier said than done, right? There is no way that age-old quote of the need to slow down will help you speed up is accurate, right? In trying to find time to slow-down, I’ve found that the magic is in the balance. As someone who is used to doing something all the time, taking a big chunk of time to not do anything sounds daunting. Instead, I started with 10 minutes of putting my phone on do not disturb and stepping away from laptop. From there, here are the best tips I’ve experienced for finding enjoyment and beauty in those slow, 10-minute-or-less moments.

Time outside.

Fresh air is always good for the soul! Even as it gets colder outside, throwing on a coat and stepping outside if only for 2-3 minutes can help to break up the list of tasks you are cranking through or spend some time away from your computer/phone screen. I use time outside to do a Five Senses Mindfulness exercise. This includes taking under five minutes to ground yourself where you are and acknowledge what you hear, smell, see, taste, and can touch. It is a great way to break the continued work/family/school thoughts circulating in your head and can help ground you in the present moment.

Meditation.

Insight Timer and Headspace are two apps with many mediation videos and breathing exercises (and also have free options!). Many of these guided meditations are under 10 minutes and are tailored to different parts of your day and/or how you are feeling making it a tool you can use for any length of time or part of the day.

Journaling.

Finding time to journal is a great way to slow down and be aware of how you are feeling and doing. Others may find it more difficult to know where to start when journaling, so finding a guided journal is a great way to get in the habit of finding time for yourself to do this each day. The Gratitude Journal and A Year of Zen are two highly recommended options for those wanting to dabble into journaling.

Reading.

I have found reading to be one of those things that people either love or hate. If you love it, picking up a good book is a quick 10-minute slowdown that can easily turn into 20-30 minutes (or more). For those that don’t love reading, grabbing a book like All Along You Were Blooming or Milk and Honey are a great way to start as they both have short stories/poems to read and reflect on.

Restore.

If you’re looking for something a little longer than 10 minutes, Power Life’s Restore class is one hour of slowing down, connecting to your body, and finding relaxation. As you start to incorporate more and more time into your slow down, finding time to take a Restore class at least once a week is a great way to dedicate more time to yourself.

These are so many things that you can do to help slow down and break the hustle and bustle of every day but being intentional about finding this time is just as important, especially as we head into the holiday season where there are so many things to do, all the time. Despite what I said in the beginning, it is true that you need to slow down in order to speed up. Slowing down allows us to fill our cups, supports us in finding time for ourselves, and propels us forward in self-growth. Next time you feel the urge to work a little longer, turn on your TV right away, or feel like you’re just doing things to fill your time, take 10, 20, or maybe even 30 minutes to feel your time by slowing down and finding gratitude in those moments.