Thinking about yourself is almost impossible in a society where everything moves fast, productivity is important and constant accessibility is the norm. How can you come to insights if you feel that it no longer flows completely in your work or in your life?
Slowing down is the answer. It helps to reflect on ourselves and it can lead to insights that can give your work and your life a different turn.
Which elements are important here?
1. Distance yourself
First and foremost, it’s about getting out of the rat race of everyday reality. In this way you can break free from the roles you have to fulfil and all the ‘musts’ that go with them. You don’t have to run anymore.
Jessica de Bloom of Radboud University in Nijmegen conducted research into the benefits of travel. She concluded that travelling does indeed help to distance herself from the daily worries and put things back in perspective. It definitely improves your psychological resilience.
2. Nature and movement
By walking, you reduce your pace to 4 kilometres per hour. Because of this lowered pace and because you are in nature, you get rid of all the stimuli that constantly keeps you engaged even when you are tired. Slowing down makes it easier for you to connect with yourself.
In addition, a study has found that walking in nature helps to significantly reduce recurring, even obsessive, negative thoughts.
3. Being Disconnected
The third pillar in order to find peace in your head and to be able to reflect is being disconnected from telephone and internet.
A study conducted by 2 psychologists proves it: switching off telephone and WiFi and connecting with nature gives a huge boost to your creative and problem-solving thinking.
They found this out by sending participants into nature with their backpacks for 4 days, without any access to technology. Afterwards, they were asked to perform complex tasks. The results were astonishing.
The researchers conclude that a nice long walk, in nature and without technology, can reduce mental fatigue, calm your mind and promote your creative thinking.
Bright moments
This is why you seem to find solutions from scratch or get hunches during holidays or periods of reflection. Those bright moments that never come when you keep going in the rat race.
So nothing but advantages to go into nature on your own for a while and leave your phone and tablet at home. Or to meet with your team in nature. Be sure to bring a notebook and pen. That way you can immediately note down the insights and inspiration.
