Susannah Taylor: How to slow down and be more mindful Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Life Susannah Taylor Why I m on Mission Slowdown By Susannah Taylor - January 30, 2022 When Covid first hit we all spoke about the lessons to come out of this terrible time. The main one was slowing down. For the spring and summer of 2020 many of us found the slower pace of life a godsend. I ambled on our daily walks instead of rushing to get back for deadlines, and I quite literally stopped to smell the roses. But in 2021 the scramble to return to ‘normal life’ felt overwhelming. I found it hectic, disorganised, busier than ever. Did we not learn anything? It is my mission in 2022 to slow down which, according to Alister Gray, a coach to top executives, actors and performers, is proven to make us more efficient, creative and organised. He gives these tips to his clients… Photograph: David Venni. Styling: Sairy Stemp. Jumper and leggings, Varley 1. Ignore your to-do list Do you ever feel that if you don’t post that letter, email the kids’ school and send back that Zara delivery right now the world will end? Alister says that instead of listening to what our brain is shouting at us to do immediately, sit for a minute to think beyond the noise. ‘What would make your day more fluid and graceful?’ he asks. ‘What would create significant change? What would you like to achieve? Think of the two biggest things that matter the most and do them first.’ It is a way of prioritising what really needs to get done. 2. Calm your mind Alister recommends sitting for five minutes every morning and focusing on your breath or on a mantra such as ‘I am calm’ or ‘I am strong’ (whatever helps you feel positive). Your brain may throw up lots of noise but don’t worry about that. Alister says it’s important to reflect on what does come up and to write it down. ‘This way you are removing some of the noise from your mind which can cause racing thoughts and blockages,’ he says. 3. Remember to breathe Alister’s clients say this is a gamechanger. When one task is finished, we all too easily reach for our phones. Instead, pause and breathe deeply before deciding how to act next. Will you put your phone down and be present with the kids or decide not to blow up at your boss? Alister says that a few minutes, five times a day, will calm the cortisol in your body and help you make better decisions. 4. Less is more If we are working while feeding the kids and taking a phone call, then we won’t be doing any of it to our best ability. Alister says the most effective thing to do is focus on one thing at a time, which will not only get done well but you will actually enjoy it more. Finally, leave gaps in your diary This point is my own, as creating space around things stops the feeling that we’re chasing our tails. My gym kit needs these There are too many must-have pieces in the Hush spring activewear range to choose from, but if I had to pick then the Gettie Star leggings, £59, and the leopard-print Strappy sports bra, £39, are top of my list. hush-uk.com. A cuddle in a bottle Hugs may not always be permitted right now but Wunder Workshop’s Bear Hug, a natural tincture of soothing lavender, verbena, oat tops, lemon balm and mimulus flower essence, could just be the next best thing for calming mind and soul. £28, wunderworkshop.com. READ MORE: How just five minutes of journalling a day can help shift your perspective on life RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Everything we know about The Crown season 5 Aldi s exercise equipment is on sale with up to 50% off The best Halloween events for 2022 across the UK Popular in Life The You magazine team reveal their New Year s resolutions December 31, 2021 Susannah Taylor The TLC tools your body will love January 23, 2022 How to stop living in fear February 6, 2022 Susannah Taylor My pick of the fittest leggings February 27, 2022 Women’ s Prize for Fiction 2022 winner announced June 17, 2022 These BBC dramas are returning for a second series June 30, 2022 Susannah Taylor gives the lowdown on nature s little helper – CBD April 17, 2022 The baby names that are banned across the world April 27, 2022 The Queen has released her own emojis May 26, 2022 Sally Brompton horoscopes 27th June-3rd July 2022 June 26, 2022 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. All Rights Reserved