5 ways to enjoy a slower and calmer life in 2025
If last year left you feeling frazzled and burnt out, it’s time to embrace a slower, calmer pace of life in 2025.
While the slow living movement has been on our radar for some time now (and is something we truly champion at Country Living), it’s safe to say this trend isn’t just a fad – it’s a way of life that many wellness experts swear by.
The idea of "living slowly" focuses on being more mindful and intentional of how you spend your time.
“So much of living slower is about doing things with intention and being present for them,” explains Jodie Rogers, yoga teacher and founder of the Slower Space. “So, thinking about things you want to add into your life that you’ve always wanted to try or that feel aligned, is a slower way of living.”
To help you enjoy a slower, calmer life going forward, we asked three wellness experts to share their top tips for living slowly, from spending time in nature to living with JOMO (the joy of missing out). Read on for their key starting points...
Disconnect from your devices
The best way to reconnect with what you really want is to disconnect from your digital devices, explains Jodie.
“For the most part, our lives are hyper connected so exploring ways we can unplug from digital devices and screens and start experimenting with what we can add in instead of those is a great place to start,” Jodie says.
Her top suggestions include any activities that involve using your hands to make sure you put down your phone and bring more mindfulness to your actions, such as reading or baking. Swapping screen time for slow living activities, like journaling or knitting, can help you embrace a calmer way of life.
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Experiment with creative movement
We know that exercise can do wonders for our wellbeing, from supporting our physical health to boosting feel-good endorphins. For yoga teacher, mindset coach and founder of Homy Retreats Maud Eeckman, creative movement is the key to a slower life.
“A playful and creative yoga class really forces me out of my head, and makes me pay attention to trying new movements that instantly connect me to my body,” she explains.
Embracing creative movement is less about focusing on the outcome, and more about enjoying the process, allowing your body to move in a way that feels good. “The intention is just to be in the moment, so close your eyes and let your body drive,” Maud says. “Your body knows exactly what to do and don’t worry about what it looks like, nobody is watching."
To get started, she suggests simply wiggling around on a yoga mat without any agenda other than to feel into the movement and allow yourself to be creative. “After a few minutes you will feel your mind slowing down,” Maud says. “And, the cherry on top of cake is that moving and stretching will also release emotions stored in your fascia (a connective tissue surrounding the muscles of your body), so you will feel lighter physically and emotionally, too.”
Embrace JOMO - The joy of missing out
Ever said yes to plans with old friends just because you didn’t want to miss out? We’ve all been there. But, 2025 could be the year we fully embrace "JOMO", according to Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged digital detox cabins.
“JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) is a trend which has been coined in the last decade or so, and is the antithesis of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out),” explains Hector. He credits the concept to helping him live a more intentional, slower life. “This is something that actively helps me stay away from burnout by prioritising my happiness,” Hector explains.
“Saying ‘no’ to things that don’t align with your values or priorities forces you to reflect on where you want to invest your energy,” Hector adds. “It makes you move away from the status quo that glorifies being in the fast lane which ultimately leads to burn out.”
To start embracing JOMO, you first have to get clear on what really matters to you. Every time something comes up – an invite to a party during a busy week or a request for a coffee in the middle of the working day – consider if it feels aligned to your priorities right now, and use this as your guide to embrace a more intentional way of life.
Spend time in nature
Research shows that a stroll through the park can do wonders for our wellbeing, and is a great way to live more mindfully. In fact, studies have found just 20-30 minutes connecting to nature can lower stress hormone levels.
“A daily walk in nature can greatly reduce stress and can give your mood a much-needed boost which is particularly good during the winter months, especially if you suffer from SAD,” says Hector. Taking time to slow down in nature can help you to notice things you may not have done so previously, such as the sound of the birds overhead or the fiery colours of the leaves on the trees, and encourage you to be more mindful.
“For an extra bonus, I always leave my phone at home to reduce the mental clutter driven by constant connectivity,” Hector adds.
Visualise your slow life
If you spend your days rushing around ticking tasks off your to-do list and are craving a slower life, visualising what that looks like for you is a great place to start.
“I use visualisation techniques to create images in my mind of the things or feelings I want to bring into my life,” explains Maud. “After taking a few deep breaths to ground myself, I visualise the thing that I’m working towards, considering every aspect from what it looks like in my daily life to how it feels to live in this way.”
A slow, intentional life looks different to everyone, so this practice will help you get clear on what it means to you and allow you to pinpoint daily habits you can build upon to slow down in 2025. Any time you feel life is getting a little too fast, come back to this visualisation to remind you of what slow living looks like to you.
Lavender Blend
Recent studies have shown that this wonder oil increases alpha brainwave activity, which is associated with cognitive performance, calmness and mental coordination. Easily blended with other oils, it can promote restful sleep, reduce anxiety and help skin heal.
£3.13 at hollandandbarrett.com
Rose Geranium
This is good for balancing the emotions, as it’s calming and uplifting. Menopause-friendly, it is said to help with hot flushes.
Grapefruit
Refreshing, antiseptic and good for oily skin. It also helps to beat tiredness, so use some in your morning shower.
£3.68 at hollandandbarrett.com
Frankincense
Promotes deep breathing and eases coughs. It’s good for mature skin, as research shows it can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
£10.72 at hollandandbarrett.com
Tea Tree
You’ll either love or loathe this scent. Whichever, it’s good for cuts, scrapes, tired feet, skin breakouts and colds.
£5.99 at hollandandbarrett.com
Peppermint
Antiseptic and antiviral, use peppermint for headaches and cold symptoms. A few drops in a diffuser will clear a stuffy head.
£4.02 at hollandandbarrett.com
Clary Sage
This is earthy and said to be an aphrodisiac. Add it to a massage oil to help PMS and menopause symptoms. It may induce labour, so is not suitable for use in pregnancy until after 37 weeks.
£6.70 at hollandandbarrett.com
Yarrow Oil
Soothing for skin and nerves, yarrow is good for all things stress-related, such as insomnia.
Miaroma Black Pepper Pure Essential Oil 10ml
Warms muscles as it helps to stimulate circulation and eases aches, as well as boosting alertness and motivation.
£0.83 at hollandandbarrett.com
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