The words “slowing down” might create a slight unease, especially in the workplace. At first glance, these words seem to go against productivity. Our schedules are filled to the brim, and we move quickly. In North America, we seem to be experts at doing a lot. Before remote work swept our workplaces, our schedules were already turbo-charged. But have you noticed that we still had more transition times? Getting to work in the morning, moving to our next appointment, or taking microbreaks by walking to the coffee shop on the corner gave us a little breathing room. With virtual meetings, we only need a few seconds to go from one conference room to another. But does functioning at this speed and maximizing our schedule make us more productive?
In his book In Praise of Slow, Carl Honoré questions the cult of speed, specifying: “The slow movement is not about doing everything at a snail’s pace. (..) The movement is made up of people who want to live better in a fast-paced, modern world. The slow philosophy can be summed up in a single word: balance. Be fast when it makes sense to be fast, and be slow when slowness is called for. Seek to live at what musicians call the tempo giusto – the right speed.” Furthermore, Dr. Sonia Lupien, who specializes in studying stress, distinguishes between slowness and slowing down. She emphasizes the necessity of being aware of our internal agitation, explaining that when our organism runs riot and we feel a loss of control, slowing down is essential to “detect” what’s happening. (1)
Slowing Down to Recognize Signs of Imbalance
Based on the idea that we must slow down to detect what’s going on, I like suggesting that participants in our conferences and webinars in the workplace define their “red flags,” as I like to call them. These are alert signals or indicators that something happened that an imbalance is present in the body. These vary depending on the individual, but here are some common examples:
- Difficulty breathing
- Irritability or Impatience with colleagues or loved-ones
- A knotted stomach
- Feeling on edge and easily falling into sadness or anger
- Difficulty sleeping for a few consecutive nights
- Physical tension, headaches, or migraines
- A tendency to self-isolate
Once we identify the red flag, we can analyze it by evaluating the source of stress and put a plan into action that helps us address the situation to find balance again. In theory, this process can seem simple, but the challenge lies in detecting the imbalance in the first place. Mrs. Lupien specifies: “We have unlearned the ability to recognize our bodies’ stress responses. And this creates an accumulation and causes us to get sick.”
This is why it is so important to know ourselves better by slowing, making detecting when something is off easier. And since it is even more challenging to detect signs of imbalance in others, as managers, especially when working remotely, it is vital to know your employees’ general behaviours so that you’re able to note changes when they arise.
Slowing Down to Find Productivity
So, why is there resistance to slowing down? Isn’t it fundamental to an athlete’s performance to include rest in their training? Slowing down can happen physically, but above all, it has to happen mentally. Taking the time to evaluate what has happened and asking ourselves, “Why am I agitated?” Though Sonia Lupien mentions that it isn’t necessary to slow down physically, I have to admit that to make it a “reflex,” and for many people that I have supported over the years, making space in my schedule has significantly helped me develop my ability to self-regulate my nervous system when faced with challenging emotions and thoughts.
Nevertheless, slowing our pace despite our obligations remains a choice. It is a difficult choice since it implies having to say no more frequently. Ultimately, we are talking here about prioritizing. But be careful – prioritizing ourselves is not synonymous with egoism. On the contrary, when we allow ourselves to slow down and adjust what needs to be adjusted, we do less but better. As we hear on in-flight emergency protocols, we must secure our oxygen masks before assisting others.
I believe that corporate cultures that promote a slower pace and value the possibility of slowing down enough to detect imbalances so that one may find pause to self-regulate also promote a better quality of life, health, and happiness for their employees. To get started, why not begin team meetings with 5 or 10 minutes of silence? This might feel long, but Amazon does it for 30 minutes in some executive meetings! (3) This period of silence, like meditation, allows the body and mind to settle, calms the nervous system, and increases concentration and creativity. Haven’t you noticed that some of our best ideas come when we are calm and grounded?
Article written by Julie Banville, Yoga Therapist and Founder of ZEN&CO, for Facteur H magazine – November 2022 edition.
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References:
[1] https://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/e259af29-f611-41d5-bb74-17b3260f8368%7C_0.html
[2] https://www.lapresse.ca/vivre/sante/201310/11/01-4699003-psychologie-ralentir-pour-mieux-vivre.php