The Science Behind Happiness: Why Slowing Down Works

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“How are things?” I asked a friend. “It’s busy, but I’ll take some time to relax when things ease up,” she said. Sounds familiar? You’re not alone. Too many of us live with the idea that constant busyness equates to success. 

But is that really true? 

We Live with Constant Busyness

One challenge we face is a jammed calendar, which makes us feel overwhelmed every single day: working, family, social commitments, and personal goals. This constant hustle can leave us stressed, tired, and very far from happy.

It Leads to Stress and Overwhelm

Our brains and bodies are simply not wired to go on without rest. Hustle Culture with which our society seems to overflow is also a recipe for chronic stress, which floods our system with cortisol–the stress hormone. Heightened cortisol levels are linked to anxiety, depression, and a spate of serious physical health issues. According to the American Psychological Association, the root of many mental and physical health problems relate to chronic stress, and this begets burnout.

The Science of Happiness

Research has connected happiness with mindfulness—slowing down. According to a Harvard University study, as much as 47% of the waking hours are spent thinking about something other than what a person is doing, which makes people extremely unhappy.

“A human mind is a wandering mind, and a wandering mind is an unhappy mind,” write Harvard University psychologists Matthew A. Killingsworth and Daniel T. Gilbert. “The ability to think about what is not happening is a cognitive achievement that comes at an emotional cost.”

Being present can extremely improve our happiness by keeping us engaged in our current activities and reducing mind-wandering. Mindfulness meditation has also shown to increase the density of gray matter in the brain regions associated with emotion regulation and positive emotions and improved quality of life. 

The Solution Is To Slow Down

Slowing down allows your mind and body to recover from this constant barrage of stressors. Taking a moment to slow down, relax, and just be gives a person a chance to catch their breath and refuel, and this leads one to have better mood, engagement, and be happier.

Try Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the process of being within the current moment. Studies have proven it to decrease stress while improving well-being. Start the day off with a few minutes of mindful breathing or even coffeetation—those moments as one sits there just enjoying their cup of coffee. Instead of rushing through emails and jumping right into meetings, take a second to collect yourself. This very simple act sets quite a much more calm tone to a day, and because of this, enables individuals to become much more resilient towards the stressors of the day—along with availing them with more capability of conquering the challenges that come their way throughout the day. 

Take Breaks Throughout the Day

A study from Illinois University, shows that small time-offs can help in refocusing massively and increasing productivity, leaving you much more accomplished and less stressed. Take a step back from the job, walk a little, or sit in silence and breathe. Such micro-breaks will help bring down stress levels and lift your mood.

Prioritize Sleep

For mental and physical health we need a decent night sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, that’s about 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleep can improve one’s mood, enhance cognitive functioning, and even lower stress levels. Having a bedtime routine that will relax your mind and body, means taking time away from the blue light of the screens for things like reading a book or doing some light stretches. 

Slowing Down Boosts Happiness

Most importantly, slowing down can help in increasing one’s happiness. This is considered to entail decreased stress, taking mental time-offs, sleeping, and mindfulness activities that raise one’s mood and contribute to better well-being. Get going today to incorporate these simple tips into your daily routine and experience the benefits of a slower, more mindful pace.

Start Today

Take a deep breath right now. Slow down. Embrace the power of the relaxed approach to living your life. Your happiness is worth it.

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