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.

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.  

But what does slow living really mean and can it be easier achieved in the “blue zone”?

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

Let us find out what she says!

What does it mean to “slow down”?

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. It needs to “do nothing” for a while. Gestalt psychotherapist Irena Jurjević explains:

“Our mind is a magnificent instrument 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.

Some might say it’s omnipotent, and sometimes, our mind might believe that too.

That’s where the problem arises—our mind also needs rest, recharging, rebalancing, and reconnection with the broader reality, which is best achieved by being in the “here and now.”

Slowing down can be described as visiting a place called “here and now”.

A space where we meet our personal doctor, psychotherapist, physiotherapist, teacher, and every other kind of healer we might need.

In this space, we restore ourselves and recalibrate our direction. 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”.

Slowing down helps our health and longevity

Health and longevity are also connected with “slowing down“ and taking quality breaks.

 “Centenarians 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) is only beginning to grasp it in the past two decades.

Our immune system is directly linked to our thoughts. Excessive thinking drains our bodies, even though this rumination holds evolutionary value.

(Otherwise, our brain wouldn’t devote 20% of the body’s oxygen consumption to this function.)

This process, known as the “Default Mode Network,” activates when we are “doing nothing,” or not focusing on a specific task. It is a “working temperature” of the brain, allowing us to react swiftly in any situation.

The fact that focused activities only increase oxygen consumption by 5% compared to this default state highlights the significant energy the brain expends on rumination or, in modern terms, “overthinking.”

The problem arises when this constant mental activity persists due to life’s challenges, continuously predicting threats even during peaceful periods.

Interestingly, short-term stress strengthens the immune system, while chronic stress weakens it.

By slowing down, taking an afternoon “siesta” (known in Dalmatia as “from two to five – house rules”), or practicing mindfulness, we allow the body to take the lead and restore itself”.

Do people truly live more slowly on the Adriatic coast?

Pomalo is an expression you will often hear from people who live on the Adriatic coast, particularly in Dalmatia. It literally means “slowly” or “bit by bit”.

But do the people who live by the sea in Croatia really live more slowly? Zadar (Dalmatia) based psychotherapist says:

“The art of the moment and fjaka (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.

Rural and island oases may still uphold this sentiment, but they face other challenges.

On the other hand, we are blessed with a climate offering many sunny days. 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 “biohacks” offer temporary relief.

None can restore health to someone living in fear and exhaustion.

The real solution (for slowing down) lies in:

• regular sleep (before 11 PM)
• supportive relationships
• physical activity
• outdoor time

All these are practices often neglected as people rush to work early in the morning, missing valuable sunlight that regulates both sleep and mood”.

As you can see, the control for slowing down is in your own hands. Coastal life offers many advantages that can support that lifestyle, but it is you who needs to decide to use them.

Living slowly – respecting the rhythm of the day

“Humans are evolutionarily designed to sleep when it’s dark, wake with the dawn, and, for example, work in the fields. Modern gyms are essentially substitutes for the physical labor we need to maintain a healthy, pain-free body, hormonal balance, and mental health.

Living “slowly” means respecting the rhythm of the day. However, modern life exposes us to everything that disrupts this, from artificial light at night to staying indoors during the day.

Some might argue these issues are unrelated to mental health and psychotherapy, but they absolutely are. The first questions I ask a client with symptoms of depression are: 1. How do you sleep? 2. What do you eat? 3. Who do you spend time with? The answers often hold the key to resolving their problem”, says Irena Jurjević.

The art of slowing down in the “blue zone” improves our mental health

Living by the sea – or visiting it often – has many benefits for our mental and physical health. People have known that for ages, but recent studies prove it with scientific research.

For example, people who regularly take walks by the sea relax more easily and sleep longer, approximately 47 minutes more.

They are more active, more concentrated on the “here and now” (mindfulness), and feel less stress and anxiety.

Irena Jurjević agrees: “The book The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner delves deeply into this phenomenon and is highly recommended.

Centenarians studied share characteristics such as:

• constant movement (e.g., Sardinian shepherds)
• rest (Ikarians in Greece take daily afternoon naps)
• moderate eating (legumes as a primary food source)
• balanced lifestyle that includes moderate wine consumption (typically one glass with a meal)

Lunch is usually around noon, dinner is early, and they do not eat again until the next day.

Studies confirm what older generations intuitively knew: living by the sea significantly reduces stress and anxiety symptoms, especially for urban dwellers.

A 2019. English study involving over 28,000 people found that proximity to the sea fosters a sense of peace and connection to nature, which is crucial for regulating our autonomic nervous system.

Living closer to the coast (within 1 km) compared to further away (over 50 km) is significantly associated with a lower likelihood of common mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, particularly for low-income households”.

Easy-to-follow advice on how to be more in the moment aka slow down

“In psychotherapy, we don’t use this term. Instead, we talk about “being in the moment,” meaning whatever we do, we do with our whole being. Gestalt therapy draws elements of this approach from Zen philosophy, which emphasizes “being,” an awareness of existence without judgment or evaluation.

Being in the moment can involve anything within or around us: mindful eating, mindful hugs, mindful movements, or mindful feelings. It is any moment where we are fully immersed in our experience. And the best part? It costs nothing but our time and energy”, advises Irena Jurjević, the owner of Humani Studio.

So, this is it folks. We hope that we shed some light on the concept of slow living and the benefits of living in the “blue zone”.

And if you are looking for a (second) home by the sea and you like the Adriatic, check out our project in Sv. Filip i Jakov. Situated in a charming coastal place near Zadar (Dalmatia) these luxurious villas will give you an opportunity to truly slow down.

If you are more into some other type of property or you want a different location, give us a call. We will help you find the right home on the Adriatic coast.

Photo: Irena Jurjević private archive, Photo by Luciann Photography, Photo by Chevanon Photography, iStock/Adobe Stock, Photo by Tatiana Syrikova, Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash.