SLOW EATING

LIFE often feels like one big race. You rush to work, rush to organise the kids, rush to meet a friend and rush off again – the pressure never stops.

However, the truth is living like this isn’t good for us. Worrying research from the Mental Health Foundation has revealed three out of four UK adults felt overwhelmed with stress in the past year. So what’s the solution?

It may be tempting to cram even more into your day to try to get everything done. But this isn’t the way to go.

Instead, it’s time to embrace “slow living” – where you say goodbye to being busy all the time and instead live at a gentler pace.

Here, we explain how going with the slow can transform every area of your life.

SLOW HOME

Living in a slow home doesn’t mean you have to get up at sunrise to make your own organic bread or handgrind coffee beans. Instead, it’s about creating a calm oasis to live and rest. ■ Try: Mindful washing up

Be completely present when you do housework. For example, when you are washing up, notice the rainbows on every bubble, the warm, scented water and the clean, shiny dishes. At the end, notice and enjoy the feeling of satisfaction at a job well done. Eat more slowly sounds like the sort of thing a mother might suggest to try to stop a child wolfing down their food. However, there are some proven major health benefits to taking time to chew food, including weight loss, better digestion and lower stress levels.

■ Try: Snack attack

Tune into your body to find out what it needs. If you are craving a sugary snack, stop and think about how you are feeling. People often try to soothe difficult feelings and stress by eating sweet treats.

Be aware of this craving and this could reduce the desire to eat.

SLOW WORK