6 Ways to Slow Down & Brighten Your Work Day
Between hours-long zoom meetings, whipping up new content, freaking out about the latest Black Mirror-style AI developments and sneaking in some much-needed TikTok time, it's getting harder and harder to find a moment at work to just sit and breathe. So I set out to find new ways to create moments of pause, centering and delight during the work day. Whether you’re looking for a small, easily-accomplished habit or a deeper mindfulness technique, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Moment 1
Find 10 minutes of silence
On an episode of Abbi Jacbobson’s podcast A Piece of Work, Ahmir Thompson (Questlove from The Roots) explained how moments of silence can be even more powerful than a song. For someone like me, who grew up playing instruments and permanently attached to my headphones, finding solace in the absence of sound can feel like a foreign concept. But hear me out. As we’re constantly subjected to a barrage of stimulation – whether it's our news feeds, instant messages or emails – it can be easy to forget how nourishing silence can be. Try to shut off your phone for 10 minutes or so, and let your mind wander as it sees fit. You can sit at your desk, stretch out your limbs, take a walk to the bathroom or to fill up your water. Giving your head a moment of silence is like giving a shaken-up snow globe time to settle. When you let things fall into place, without the distraction of entertainment or media, you’ll find it easier to compose your thoughts, make decisions, and reflect on the world around you.
Moment 2
Grab a (non-digital) book
Want to take things a step further than a moment of silence? When I really want to stretch my brain out and make the most of a pause in my day, there’s really nothing like getting lost in a good story. You remember reading, right? No, not just your Twitter feed or today’s top headlines. Like, actually reading. Personally, I’ve always loved reading. As a kid I used to curl up with a good story past bedtime, flashlight in hand, feigning sleep every time my parents walked by my door. But even if you weren’t a voracious reader growing up, a great book can nourish you more than any warm mug of tea (although in saying that, you can always enjoy both at the same time). If you’re not sure where to find the right story for you, I’ve got you covered. Here are some stories, poems, and essays that I turn to for a moment of peace and take me to another place.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Severance by Ling Ma
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
The Bean Eaters by Gwendolyn Brooks
Un petit tip…
And when you feel your moment of pause is up, feel free to mark your place with one of our scented bookmarks.
Moment 3
Ground yourself through your senses
It’s easy to forget just how powerful our senses are. But if you ever need to relax when work or life gets a little overwhelming, your senses are always there to help. Identifying your senses and surroundings is something you can do any time, any place. For example, on your morning commute – whether you’re biking, taking the bus, or driving – ask yourself: what do you hear? What do you feel around you? What do you smell? Our sense of smell is stronger than we think. Whether it's the crisp winter air, the fresh pot of coffee, or the fragrant incense you light each morning, sensory identification and connection can help us connect our brains to our hearts. Bringing us closer to our surroundings, and helping us relax for a moment or two.
Moment 4
Make hydration an important part of your daily routine
It may feel a tad obvious, but hydration is an essential part of keeping our mind and body at peace and in harmony. We’re not the only ones who think so. Harvard’s School of Public Health says drinking enough water each day is the key to regulating your body temperature, keeping your joints lubricated, preventing infections, delivering nutrients to cells, and even keeping your organs functioning properly. Not only that, staying well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood. A reusable water bottle is an easy way to keep up your water intake all day long. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy; it just needs to be close at hand. The simple act of incorporating more water into your day may well make a big difference over time: helping you feel more awake and present.
Moment 5
Make time for yourself
You-time is everything– so it’s important to carve out the physical space and time in your schedule for yourself. Try scheduling your meetings for 45 minutes instead of a full 60 minutes, or set aside specific timeframes that you’ll make yourself available for meetings. You can use that left over time just for you, and no one else. Don’t respond to emails, texts, or phone calls. Instead, take time to check in with what you need at that moment. Play Wordle, make yourself a snack, or just look away from your screen, stretch your legs, and rest your eyes. Setting boundaries like this can feel daunting. But trust me, your mind will thank you.
Moment 6
Take a Forest Bath
What is a Forest Bath, you ask? Also known as shinrin-yoku, Forest Bathing emerged in Japan in the 1980s. It’s about getting away from technology, and bathing the senses in nature. Think of it as a kind of environmental therapy. If you don’t live near a forest (me neither), there’s no need to make the trek out to a park or trail. You can practice Forest Bathing in smaller ways. Take a break, crack open a window, step outside for a few minutes, or take a walk around the neighborhood. You could even try a light spritz of La Forêt from Poète on your clothes to help transport your senses to a shady, tree-lined forest path in Provence. Just as water keeps our body running smoothly, nature keeps our mind at peace and gives us a chance to reconnect with our surroundings and senses.
Making time for yourself doesn’t have to be complicated– even after the work day ends, these moments of pause can be a chance to connect inward, relieve stress, and express gratitude. Looking for a new way to connect? Sign up to receive our Poète scented bookmarks, and connect your senses to your surroundings for a moment of bliss.
