The importance of taking time to be still

It's so easy these days to get caught up living life in the fast lane.  There is always somewhere to be and something to do and a sense that we are constantly in danger of being left behind.  It's incredibly important for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing that we balance all this activity with regular stillness.

At a physical level continually going at 100 miles an hour means our bodies are living in a constant state of high stress hormones (whether or not you are feeling stressed) which diverts resources from repair and rejuvenation activities, causing your body to age more quickly and increasing the risk of disease as a result of chronic inflammation.  

The physical effects of prolonged exposure to stress also impact our mental health, causing changes in brain structure that increase the risk of anxiety and depression.  It's also important for our minds to have their own timeout from the constant analysing and worrying that is so endemic in modern life and to spend some time in healthy contemplation and reflection.

Modern studies are increasingly verifying the positive effects of mediation on the brain and body, providing scientific backing for concepts long understood in many eastern cultures.  Don't get hung up on the word 'meditation' and worrying about what that looks like.  You may need to adopt a structured meditation practise to get all the possible benefits, but you can definitely give your body and mind a boost through some of these more informal ways of practising stillness.  The point in each case is to allow your body and mind to be at rest.  To quieten your mind try just focusing on your breath or doing a body scan - observing the sensations throughout your body - and when thoughts arise just gently let them pass through and resume your focus.

• Find a quiet place in nature (which could be as simple as in your own backyard) where you can just sit quietly or walk at any easy pace, appreciating the beauty around you. 
  
• Find a quiet place where you can listen to your favourite music uninterrupted.
• Enjoy a creative hobby such as wood-turning, painting or sewing, where your mind is fully focused on the task you are working on and free from everyday worries.  Just make sure that you are able to enjoy this hobby in a relaxed way and it is not going to create new forms of stress if projects don't turn out quite as you hoped!
• Have a massage or other spa treatment.
• Soak in a warm bath or spa.
• Practise yin yoga.
  

Most importantly don't view stillness as a luxury that you fit in 'if you have time'.  It should be a critical priority in your life alongside all other aspects of taking care of your wellbeing - eating well, exercise and sleep.