I create pressure on myself to stay constantly productive. In my career, I was juggling tasks, saying yes to everything, and in a constant state of “on.” You know who introduced me to the concept of slowing down? My dog trainers! My Weimaraner, Autumn, was difficult to train when I was solely focused on producing an outcome instantly. Instead of pushing harder and moving faster like she was, I needed to slow down. We needed to get to know each other, like dance partners.

Slowing down is simply approaching tasks with greater awareness. It is an effective way to maintain balance and clarity throughout the day. Pauses during the day, like going for a stroll outside or taking a few deep breaths while doing nothing else, can improve focus and decision-making. These bits of rest reset your mind and allow you to move through your day more effectively.

Today I live more like Boris, my English Bulldog, taking intentional breaks and responding instead of reacting. Boris takes the “pause” to a whole new level. He enjoys waiting 3 seconds before he responds to one of my commands. Seriously, I counted! I wish I could say Boris’ pace improves his focus and decision-making, but he mostly uses that time to decide whether moving is worth the effort. Still, he’s taught me that sometimes the wisest move is to sit back, breathe, and let life happen without you.

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For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#Mindfulness #SelfCare #MentalHealth #SlowLiving #WorkLifeBalance #StressRelief #Productivity #Dogsofinstagram #DogMom #Wellness