Our years here in Italy have taught us that a slower-pace helps us enjoy life more and have more time for the things and people we love. And whenever I talk about it, I find others who also want to escape the stress of life in the fast lane. They long for a more peaceful and meaningful life that is also a joy to live.
But we are surrounded by distracting sights, sounds, displays, and screens that constantly bombard us with advertising, entertainment, and offers of success, wealth, and glamour. And it’s all so temping that we lose sight of our goals and forget how many blessings we have.
Slow living has its roots in Italy’s Slow Food movement which began in 1989 to counter the growing trend of fast food and its associated health hazards. It’s a philosophy of slowing down to prepare and enjoy good food with good conversation, as opposed to eating junk food on the run.
Slow Living expands this into a lifestyle.
A lifestyle that is in many ways related to the similar movements of simple, intentional, and whole living because they share many of the same goals and principles. But I think Slow Living has an additional feature that sets it apart: it’s a sustainable lifestyle.
Slow living can benefit our lives in numerous ways
7 benefits slow living can bring:
1. A more sustainable and livable life
Not because it’s environmentally sustainable (although it should be that as well). But because it is extremely livable, and easy to maintain in the long run. It’s also less hectic and stressful, which makes it more enjoyable. And that makes it a lifestyle you want to live in the long run!
2. Ability to relish each moment
Slow living means means living life as God intended for us to live it. Or as we say here, “al passo dell’uomo” (at the pace of man). Just as horses cannot race all the time, we are not made to sustain a hectic, frenetic lifestyle over the long term. As the Psalmist says, we also need to take time to rest and relax.
This slower pace can bring improvements in every area of our lives: finances, time, health, relationships, and work. They become less stressful and more enjoyable, allowing us to savor every moment.
3. More time and work output
When we choose to slow down, eliminate clutter, and make fewer commitments, we actually gain time and can focus more effectively. So we can get more done in less time, with less stress, and have more time for the things and people we love.
4. Better health
Slow living also means taking time to prepare and enjoy real food. It means taking time for rest, relaxation, and exercise. It all adds up to less stress and better overall health. And we are able to enjoy life more fully!
5. Deeper relationships
Slow living is also about spending more time with the people we care about. It’s having meals together with our phones turned off. It’s taking the time to have real conversations, to do things together, and to really connect with each other. Together, these are the perfect recipe for deeper, happier relationships.
6. Improved financial health
Slow living and simple living go hand in hand. Having less stuff not only makes it easier to slow down, but also to see how much we already have. Gratitude for our many blessings can help curb our constant desire for more stuff. And because we don’t feel the need to try to “have it all,” we shop and spend less and achieve greater financial health.
Read | Cultivating Contentment in a World of Stuff.
7. A greater sense of well-being
Slow living brings greater peace of mind by eliminating unnecessary or harmful distractions such as clutter, social media addiction, and too many commitments or activities.
It reminds us to slow down, fully enjoy the present moment, and nourish our entire being, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For as author C.S. Lewis said:
“You are not a body. You are a soul; you have a body”.
CS Lewis
At its core, slow living is about slowing down to truly enjoy life. But it is also about building a more meaningful and purposeful life. And who wouldn’t want that?
So if you’re asking yourself, “Why should I slow down my life?” maybe the better question is: “Why should I live a stressful, hectic life that makes me miss out on the really important things in life?”
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
📷 Image credits: beach; picnic bag; sea; wine
Signora Sheila 
19 responses to “The Benefits of Italian Slow Living”
This is such a lovely post! It has been a continuous goal for me to slow down. Reminders such as these are encouraging! Blessings!
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Glad you enjoyed it! That’s at least one good thing about this virus. It’s giving us all time to slow down and remember what’s really important. May we remember these lessons even after it’s all over!
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It’s so often in this world of busyness that even when we “slow down” we do it with technology. It still creates a distance between us and others. It’s not as resting as one may think to binge on media (which I have totally been guilty for and still struggle with). But slowing down, giving things to God, and putting away distractions, truly does make a difference! <3 Great post!
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Thanks TR. The Italian way of life has really taught me a lot in this area. And now with our present lockdown, it’s going to another whole level!! I think we all struggle with distractions, especially those of our day. They often become the tyranny of the urgent… even when they’re really not urgent!
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Very true!
I’d love for you to share an update post later on your experience thus far with lockdown. Has it impacted your walk with Christ? How has it changed your way of life?
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I was thinking of doing that today. Guess this is confirmation that I should! Thanks TR!! God bless you and yours.
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God bless you 😊♥️
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I’m a SLOW learner–that is, I am learning to live more slowly, but it’s a slow process for this Type A personality! One strategy that’s helping: intentionally looking for things to be grateful to God for. To accomplish that goal, I began a journal in 2016, “A Celebration of Small Things.” In it I record one blessing-per-day–a very manageable amount of writing. It helps me hold on to moments and savor what’s around me. Now it’s fun to go back and read about what was happening last year, the year before that, etc. (I do apologize if I’ve mentioned the journal before!) Thank you, Sheila, for this list of enticing benefits that slowing down will accomplish!
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That’s a great exercise to do Nancy. I have also been looking for things to be grateful for of late. It really does make me take time to pause and reflect. Happy slow going!!
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Before I retired from the corporate world, I had no idea how entangled I had become in the pace of this world. The stress and deadlines were so normal to me that I could not see just how ‘abnormal’ my life had become. In fact, when I first retired, I thought i would go crazy with not knowing what to do with so much time on my hands.
Thankfully, the Lord was patient with me and began to open my eyes to a whole other world, one where I can actually take the time to enjoy the simple things of life. One thing I know for certain, in the nearly three years since my last work day, I have never felt so relaxed and calm as I do today!
Thank you for the beautiful post Sheila.
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That’s great Ron! I’ve never been in the corporate world, but I can imagine. Work is good. God, in fact, gave man work. But if it overtakes our lives we miss out on so many other things. I’m glad you’re enjoying your retirement! What a blessing!!
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A thoughtful and sensible argument for slowing down and not being in a rush to do or have more. thank you, Sheila.
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Thanks Cynthia! Italians have really taught us a lot on this. I think they have perfected it to an art!
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I need some of that!
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I think everyone does these days, Wally. Most people race, race, race – but many of them don’t even seem to know why or where they’re going, lol!
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