Maybe, just maybe there’s some power in the way our elders lived before the invention of technology that has made our lives “easier”.
Before TV, cell phones, computers, and even before the days of automobiles – life was simpler, it was slower and, in many respects, more intentional.
In a world that often equates busyness with success, the concept of slow living offers a refreshing alternative. Embracing a more deliberate and mindful approach to daily life can lead to enhanced well-being, especially for older adults seeking meaning and connection in their later years. Going backwards isn’t a bad thing!
What Is Slow Living?
Slow living is about intentionally decelerating life's pace to savor each moment fully. It's not about doing everything at a snail's pace but rather prioritizing what truly matters and engaging deeply with those activities. This philosophy encourages mindfulness, presence, and a focus on quality over quantity.
Benefits for Older Adults
For seniors, adopting a slow living approach can yield numerous benefits:
- Enhanced Well-being: Watching the sun rise or sunset, turning off the TV and doing a puzzle, take a stroll through the garden versus shopping on a Sunday – the little things in life often have the largest impact and can immensely improve mental and physical wellbeing at any age.
- Reduced Stress: Letting go of the pressure to constantly be doing allows for relaxation and a decrease in anxiety levels. For seniors it’s about balance. Social interaction is important but there isn’t a need to be involved in every civic club, volunteer for 40 hours a week – UNLESS that brings the person joy – it shouldn’t be stressful it should be joyful and relaxing!
- Stronger Connections: Engaging in meaningful conversations and activities fosters deeper relationships with family, friends, and the community. Sitting in the living room and looking through old photos, family banter around the table, intimate book clubs are great ways to slowly live. AND it is ok to retreat, read a book by oneself, sit on the back porch and just be!
Practical Ways to Embrace Slow Living
- Mindful Activities: Engage in hobbies that require focus and presence, such as painting, knitting, or playing a musical instrument AND are also soothing and relaxing.
- Nature Connection: Spend time outdoors, appreciating the beauty of the natural world, which can be both calming and invigorating.
- Simplify Commitments: Prioritize activities that bring joy and fulfillment and consider letting go of obligations that feel draining or unnecessary.
Our Grandparents had something that we are often missing – it’s a life worth embracing!
For caregivers and family members, supporting an older adult's choice to embrace slow living can involve participating in shared activities, encouraging mindfulness practices, and creating environments that promote tranquility and comfort.
Healthcare professionals can integrate the principles of slow living into care plans by emphasizing holistic well-being, encouraging patients to engage in meaningful activities, and recognizing the value of quality over quantity in daily routines.
Embracing slow living is not about resisting the modern world (we all need a phone!) but about choosing to engage with it more intentionally. For older adults, this approach can transform the later years into a period of rich fulfillment, deep connections, and profound joy. By slowing down, we often find that we gain more—more appreciation, more understanding, and more peace.