The SlowDown

We talk about the insanity of a morning routine that lasts 3 hours or more (part of the 5 am club), how we need to follow our own navigation and not others, we reflect on what deeper self-care looks like such as setting boundaries, saying no and, having better connections with people, the new things we have been trying in our routine and some we have yet to try such as listening to the sound of bacon which, provides a deeper sleep according to research.  We talk about what else we have discovered in the quest to stay sane, have better sleep and feel good in ourselves during this holiday. Plus a little sleep meditation (yoga nidra) for a little calm and, a guest teacher from Rome, Valeria Arcangeli, telling us what her ideal day of slowing down looks like. Contacts: @theslowdown                                                                                  Kym Nelson - www.mindfulthinkingatplay.com / Maryam @Maryam de Groef Valeria Arcangeli  @avvicinarte.bambini

We talk boundaries, boundaries, saying no, and boundaries...indeed the boundaries of home and work have become as blurred as a steamed-up window! We talk about how to rectify that with many tips and techniques to improve our wellbeing while working from home including;  how to build a pause (whether that's meditation, a breathing exercise or scheduling time to do nothing) eating mindfully, how to bring in peaceful energy before you start working, ways to switch off after a working day and, finding the best place to work whether that's the kitchen, bedroom or car! Plus we have a three-minute pause where we demonstrate the benefits of sighing, which is a natural tranquiliser for the body...a good habit to incorporate into your working day. Maybe not do it on a zoom meeting though! 

Amanda Orlando, Food Allergy Advocate, and author of Everyone's Welcome, an inclusive cookbook, and Maryam De Groef talk about ways to slow down when things aren't in their control. Amanda talks about leaning into the discomfort, why she loves people watching and her experiences with ASMR, which might leave some of our listeners a little bit puzzled.

The wisest one-word sentence is Breathe! This is the first in a series of 'A Burst of Slowing Down'. In this short burst, we'll be getting to grips with using our full lung capacity and learning about the many benefits of the 4-7-8 breathing exercise like its natural ability for being a tranquillizer for the nervous system and, how it's even known to curb cravings. Hosted by Kym Nelson, writer, meditation teacher and breathing exercise enthusiast!

We get really into the nitty-gritty of slowing down and ask important questions such as: Why is it difficult to slow down? Are we still boasting about being busy? What does an ideal day of slowing down look like? and, What can we learn about ourselves from slowing down? We also talk about people who could teach us a thing or two about slowing down like the actress Julie Andrews and potential saviour of the planet, David Attenborough. Plus our words to enlighten comes from one of the presenter's Mum!