{"id":1142,"date":"2024-12-28T08:32:33","date_gmt":"2024-12-28T07:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tstgroup.hr\/?p=1142"},"modified":"2024-12-28T08:32:33","modified_gmt":"2024-12-28T07:32:33","slug":"living-a-slow-life-the-true-meaning-of-slowing-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tstgroup.hr\/de\/living-a-slow-life-the-true-meaning-of-slowing-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Living a slow life – the true meaning of slowing down"},"content":{"rendered":"

We live fast – faster than the generations before us. We often feel pressured to use productively every single minute of the day, week, or month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This dynamic lifestyle has taken its toll on our well-being and health, both mental and physical. It doesn’t come as a surprise that we increasingly encounter the term slow living<\/em><\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does slow living really mean and can it be easier achieved in the “blue zone”?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For answers, we turned to Irena Jurjevi\u0107<\/strong>, Master of Psychotherapy, Master of Pedagogy and Sociology, and a founder of Humani studio<\/strong><\/a>. Irena also studies neuroscience at King’s College in London<\/strong>, and is, as a Dalmatia-based <\/strong>psychotherapist<\/strong>, very well familiar with the benefits of living by the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us find out what she says!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to “slow down”?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We are so used to doing something all the time. Whether it is work, house chores, taking care of our family, or absorbing information on social media. But, to achieve fantastic things, our brain needs regular breaks<\/strong>. It needs to \u201cdo nothing\u201d for a while. Gestalt psychotherapist Irena Jurjevi\u0107 explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur mind is a magnificent instrument<\/strong> that allows us to be time travelers. We can journey into the past or the future, exploring its endless possibilities. It enables us to transfer valuable knowledge and predict future scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some might say it’s omnipotent, and sometimes, our mind might believe that too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where the problem arises\u2014our mind also needs rest, recharging, rebalancing, and reconnection<\/strong> with the broader reality, which is best achieved by being in the “here and now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slowing down can be described<\/strong> as visiting a place called “here and now\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A space where we meet our personal doctor, psychotherapist, physiotherapist, teacher, and every other kind of healer we might need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this space, we restore ourselves and recalibrate our direction. <\/strong>Just like ships returning to their home port to refuel, resupply, and check their charts. This is the essence of why slowing down is so crucial\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slowing down helps our health and longevity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Health and longevity<\/strong> are also connected with \u201cslowing down\u201c and taking quality breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cCentenarians from Sardinia, Okinawa, and Ikaria have known this for a long time. Science, thanks to fMRI studies (research investigations that utilize functional MRI technology to measure and map brain activity<\/em>) is only beginning to grasp it in the past two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our immune system is directly linked to our thoughts<\/strong>. Excessive thinking drains our bodies, even though this rumination holds evolutionary value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Otherwise, our brain wouldn\u2019t devote 20% of the body\u2019s oxygen consumption to this function.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process, known as the “Default Mode Network,” activates when we are \u201cdoing nothing,\u201d<\/strong> or not focusing on a specific task. It is a \u201cworking temperature\u201d of the brain, allowing us to react swiftly in any situation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact that focused activities<\/strong> only increase oxygen consumption by 5% <\/strong>compared to this default state highlights the significant energy the brain expends on rumination or, in modern terms, \u201coverthinking.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem arises<\/u><\/strong> when this constant mental activity persists due to life\u2019s challenges, continuously predicting threats even during peaceful periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, short-term stress strengthens the immune system, while chronic stress weakens it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By slowing down, taking an afternoon “siesta”<\/strong> (known in Dalmatia as \u201cfrom two to five – house rules\u201d), or practicing mindfulness, we allow the body to take the lead and restore itself\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do people truly live more slowly on the Adriatic coast?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Pomalo<\/em> is an expression you will often hear from people who live on the Adriatic coast, particularly in Dalmatia<\/a>. It literally means \u201cslowly\u201d or \u201cbit by bit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But do the people who live by the sea in Croatia really live more slowly? Zadar (Dalmatia) based psychotherapist says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe art of the moment and fjaka<\/em> <\/strong>(a relaxed, effortless state of being) still exist in Dalmatia. However, urban Dalmatian cities, influenced by Western values, have ceased to be bastions of slow living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rural and island oases may still uphold this sentiment, but they face other challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, we are blessed with a climate offering many sunny days<\/strong>. These can easily be wasted if we choose to drive to work instead of walking or cycling. Modern solutions like antidepressants, mindfulness apps, cold baths, multi-day fasting, and other \u201cbiohacks\u201d offer temporary relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

None can restore health to someone living in fear and exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real solution <\/strong>(for slowing down)<\/em> lies<\/strong> in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n