Awareness prevents old habits favored by automatic thoughts from having the final say in our behavior.

Pausing is essential to the process of reflection.

Slow practice is the optimal starting point for learning unfamiliar material.

We are seeing a steady decline in attention spans across all age groups. For example, research shows attention spans to be about 47 seconds (the average time we pay attention to one screenshot). There are several reasons for the decline of our capacity to pay attention. Digital distraction, multitasking, and economics (which rewards speed and efficiency) all have the potential to fracture attention span (Reed, 217).

But we all have a degree of control over how we choose to live. By living slowly, we can find life much less stressful and more fulfilling. Slowness isn’t so compatible with modern life, with all its pressures and demands. A slower pace of life reduces mental and emotional fatigue. Slowing down is also a strategic advantage for boosting productivity and creativity.

1. The power of pause

Pausing is essential to the process of reflection. Psychologist Rollo May (1981) equates pause with freedom. That is, freedom is the capacity to........

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