6 WAYS TO LIVE SLOWER AND GREENER EVERY DAY

#retreat #nomiagardenretreats #MindfulLiving #SlowLiving #EverydayMindfulness #SustainableLiving #Wellbeing #SelfConnection #IntentionalLiving

Because life isn’t just about surviving – it’s about feeling, breathing, and nourishing the soul.

In a world where everything is fast – deadlines are fast, internet is fast, food is fast, and even burnout comes faster – more and more people are asking themselves: “Am I living too fast?” That’s when the idea of slow living starts to return. Not as a sign of laziness, but as a conscious choice: to live slower, greener, healthier, and more in tune with ourselves and the world around us.

If you're a working adult seeking to balance career demands with a desire for more sustainable and intentional living, here are six simple yet meaningful ways to start your journey.

1. Start with a slow morning

Instead of reaching for your phone first thing, try opening your eyes in stillness. Let your feet touch the ground, take a deep breath, and soak in the morning light. Just five unhurried minutes can set the tone for a much calmer, more grounded day.

A Harvard study shows that just 10 minutes of mindfulness practice in the morning can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increase overall job satisfaction throughout the day.

2. Drink water as an act of self-care

How many glasses of water do you drink a day? And how often do you notice you're drinking?

Try using a favorite cup, pour slowly, and savour the experience mindfully. It’s a simple way to tell yourself: “I’m taking care of me.”

This is a form of micro-mindfulness – being fully present in small, everyday actions. Psychologists recommend this practice as a practical tool for reducing stress in fast-paced work environments.

3. Green your space – even just a little

You don’t need a big garden. A single pothos on your desk, a fern on a shelf, or even a few leaves in a glass jar can soften a sterile workspace and restore calm.

According to the Journal of Environmental Psychology, having plants in your space can boost productivity by up to 15% and significantly reduce tension and mental fatigue in office settings.

So choose a low-maintenance plant, and watch something green grow along with you.

4. Minimize plastic waste, one habit at a time

You don’t have to go zero-waste overnight. But you can start small: bring your own tote bags, use a refillable water bottle, opt for package-free produce, or reuse what you already have.

Each choice is a quiet but powerful message: I care about this planet.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that individual consumers can reduce up to 40% of household plastic waste by adopting small changes in daily habits.

5. Schedule “do nothing” time on weekends

In a culture that glorifies busyness, “doing nothing” can feel like a guilty pleasure. But it’s a deeply human need.

A weekend afternoon spent reading with no deadline, a Sunday morning with no alarm, or even just cleaning the house in silence – these are all forms of deep rest and healing.

Researchers call this restorative idleness – the kind of healthy laziness that’s essential for post-pandemic mental wellness.

6. Give yourself permission to “disappear” from time to time

A retreat isn’t about running away – it’s about unplugging from noise and returning to what matters.

Go somewhere with trees, water, fresh air, and time to nap or listen to birdsong. Somewhere where productivity isn’t expected, and where you don’t need to “stay updated” – just be.

In Nordic countries, forest therapy is now part of corporate wellness programs, helping employees recover from stress through nature immersion.

And you deserve that too, whether it’s a weekend escape to a quiet eco-retreat, or simply creating your own “mini retreat” at home by turning off your phone, lighting a candle, and letting yourself fully disconnect.

Living slowly and green isn't a finish line – it's a daily choice.

You don’t need to be an eco-expert. Just choose one small shift each day: mindful hydration, tending to a plant, reducing plastic, resting intentionally, and you’ll notice yourself feeling lighter.

Because in the end, slow and sustainable living isn’t just about saving the planet. It’s about saving a healthier, kinder version of yourself.

📍 Find your green & gentle reset at Nomia Garden Retreats

A space to breathe slowly, live cleanly, and reset after the noise.

Visit nomiagardenretreats.com or message our fan page – we’ll help you plan your very first green retreat.