Why do celebrities choose to live a “slow life” and how can you do it too?

Have you ever fantasized about quitting that and moving to the mountains? Quitting the “9-to-5 life” and spending your time doing languid activities like gardening or pottery, or opening a quaint little cafe or bookstore? Have you ever wanted to run a business?

Instead of making a complete life change to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life and find some peace of mind, follow the example of celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Deepika Padukone who have ditched the hectic lifestyle culture for a 'slow life'. Why not take a look?

The essence of slow living is to break out of the rut of fast-paced living, take a breather, and readjust your life.

Often, to improve mental health, we take time to engage in relaxing activities, such as gardening or crocheting, at a slower pace and more mindfully.

This is by no means a new concept. Just ask your grandparents, who are likely practicing slow living without even realizing it.

Slow living was once thought of as the domain of retired people, but young people are now expected to “hustle.”

But thanks to some celebrities, the concept of slow living has become a trend among young people (even if they're not famous) who feel exhausted by their fast-paced lives.

Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt have spoken about their love of sculpture in the past. Closer to home, actors like Deepika Padukone and Kajol have taken to social media platforms to share their love for knitting and crocheting as a 'relaxing hobby'.

The idea is to do activities that don't require you to succeed or get the answer right, but just to make yourself feel better. It can be any hobby you enjoy.

talk to fit“Working consciously with your hands has cognitive and emotional benefits. It stimulates your brain,” says Shirin Chimtanawala, a Mumbai-based art therapist.

“Practical tasks like Zentangle, mandala drawing, and crochet create a sense of repetition, which creates familiarity and patterns that have a calming effect.”

Shirin Chimtanawala, art therapist

“A friend gifted me a guided crochet set. At first I wasn't interested at all. It seemed boring,” says Aarti, a 26-year-old consultant from Bangalore. “But once I started doing it, I really enjoyed it. I do it whenever I have free time and it really reduces my anxiety.”

Artie went on to say that although her workday is fast-paced and packed, her “slow-paced hobbies” help her rest and recuperate.

“Work is always very stressful, but being able to switch off everything and sit down with my crochet kit helps me focus and is more relaxing than spending the evening just scrolling through my phone. Masu.”

Aarti, 26 years old

“For me, it means taking time out of my day to mindfully enjoy life’s simple moments,” says Priyasha, a 28-year-old doctor who creates guided paintings in her free time. Masu.

She added:

“I find it really relaxing. I put on some soft music, turn off notifications, and completely concentrate for about 30 minutes. It feels like I'm meditating.”

There's also some scientific evidence to suggest that relaxing hobbies can help improve your mental health.

A large study published in 2016 found a link between creating visual art and lowering cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Other similar studies have found that participating in self-selected leisure activities lowers heart rate, reduces stress, and improves sleep patterns.

Elaborating further, Chimtanawala says, “When you're feeling overstimulated by everything going on around you, these activities can help you focus and feel grounded.” ”.

She goes on to say, “Completing an activity gives you a sense of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. This gives you pleasure and releases feel-good hormones like dopamine. It also makes you feel better about yourself. ”.

According to mental health experts, overwork is one of the main causes of stress and fatigue in young people. Work stress can further cause other health problems.

While talking with fit In a previous article, Dr. Raj Kumar Srivastava, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences at Max Super Specialty Hospital in Patparganj, New Delhi, said, “Overwork can lead to depression, anxiety, and heart disease. This can lead to a number of problems, such as: There is now a strong correlation between heart problems and stress, such as sleep problems and interpersonal conflicts, and stress is thought to be the most common factor in fatal heart attacks. ”

These are all signs of burnout. And if you're daydreaming about going back to the drawing board and quitting your job to start over in the mountains, you're probably experiencing burnout.

However, when you talk to fitDr Kamna Chibber says the effects of burnout on mental and physical health can be severe and repairing yourself after burnout can be a difficult process .

While you can be all you need to start recovering from it while you let your “slow hobbies” take hold, you may need professional help and counseling.