Many of us lead busy lives. Between grocery shopping, appointments, childcare, cooking and cleaning, time seems to slip away from us in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We’re always moving, thinking and planning. Throughout our waking hours, we’re spending our energy dealing with situations and people—often just trying to get through the day or week. If we don’t slow down now and then, we may not realize that our body is tense from all the stress that we are carrying.
Slowing down is very simple. Yet, we often struggle with it. Slowing down means taking a break from too much physical and mental activity. When we take a pause, we may notice that within all the activity, there is a stillness that is always there. Like a deep lake with lots of ripples or waves, there is great stillness under the surface as we look deeper into the water.
We can tap into our own stillness through strategies like meditation. One type of meditation that can help us shift from active busyness to intentional stillness is mindfulness meditation. Whether you’re experienced or new to this practice, mindfulness meditation can help you to slow down and cultivate a fluid stillness like a still pool of water.
Article also published on website of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 21, 2025.
Photo by: HR
Mindfulness FAQ 