My days have been pretty full lately. Lots of end-of-year deadlines have meant going from one project to another, squeezing in a ton of meetings, and getting my brain to switch tracks between vision-level and detail-level work multiple times a day.

And, I have to admit, it’s been pretty exhausting.

I love the work — and I give a lot to it — so I know that I need to make sure that I’m getting the rest I need to keep going and not burn out.

That’s why I’ve implemented slow mornings and slow evenings. No frantic pace before and after my busy workday — just a focus on relaxing and self-care.

Here are some examples from my slow mornings:

  • Read news and social media in bed for 30 minutes before I get up
  • Stretch for 10 minutes after getting up to loosen all the tight muscles I’m getting from sitting at my desk (pigeon pose is a favorite)
  • Read for 20 minutes before getting ready for the day (May Sarton’s journals have been a recent favorite)
  • Drink 24 ounces of water before leaving my house in the morning to ensure I’m starting off the day hydrated
  • Listen to holiday music in the car on the way to work

And here are some examples from my slow evenings:

  • Enjoy a dinner out with my partner
  • Take a shower when I get home to help me transition out of work mode
  • Read a book while doing “legs up the wall
  • Verbally debrief my day with my partner
  • Drink a cup of camomile tea before bed
  • Be in bed by 8:30pm and asleep by 9pm

I’m also trying to build in some slow and quiet moments during the day, but that been a bit harder. Mostly, I pause to refill a cup of peppermint tea before I put my head down and keep working. (Classical holiday music has also been a nice addition to my work day.)

These slow mornings and slow evenings are definitely helping to keep me feeling sane in a very busy season.

To think on:

  • How do your morning and evening routines support your daily work?
  • What are your favorite ways to slow down?