The Guru Speaks to Lawyers (and executives, professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs) :
The Science of Slow Living: How Your Brain Thrives When You Take It Easy
Faster, do more, don’t stop! Do these words sound familiar? In a world moving at a breakneck pace, it can feel almost impossible to slow down. You’re constantly inundated with emails, deadlines, and an endless to-do list. The pressure to perform, to do more, to be more, never seems to let up. As a lawyer, you’re likely familiar with the demands of your profession—cases to handle, clients to please, and always the expectation to be at your best. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if you just work faster, harder, and longer, you’ll achieve your goals. But what if I told you that taking it easy could be the key to unlocking your full potential?
Slow living is not about procrastination or avoidance. It’s about adopting a mindset that prioritizes quality over quantity, and intentionality over speed. When you slow down, you allow yourself to operate from a place of clarity. Your brain thrives when you give it the time and space it needs to process information effectively and make better decisions. Neuroscience supports the idea that slowing down isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for your well-being and professional success.
Let’s explore how the science of slow living can help you, especially in high-pressure careers like law, and why your brain thrives when you take a step back.
Your Brain’s Response to Stress: Why Faster Isn’t Better
Your brain is incredibly powerful, but it’s also susceptible to stress. As a lawyer, you’re likely familiar with the constant stress that comes with handling demanding cases, working under tight deadlines, and navigating the complexities of legal work. Chronic stress activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, which is driven by your amygdala, (your internal Warrior) the brain’s emotional center. In short bursts, this response can be useful—it can help you react quickly to urgent situations. However, when stress becomes chronic, it starts to have detrimental effects on your brain and your ability to think clearly.
I ignored the many signs that my body and frankly the results in my home life were giving me, that I was on the gradual track to burnout. Too often we all succumb to the high demands of our lives and prioritize those over what our bodies are clearly trying to tell us: that we are doing Too Much. I left these signs untended for long enough that the outcome was a full-fledged burnout that took years to rebuild from. I’m hoping for you to avoid the pitfalls I fell into.
When you’re constantly under pressure, your prefrontal cortex, (your Guru) —the part of your brain responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and planning—becomes less active. This makes it harder for you to think critically and respond with the level of clarity and creativity that’s required in the legal field. In contrast, when you take time to slow down, your Guru has the opportunity to engage more fully. Instead of reacting impulsively, you can make more thoughtful, strategic decisions. This is why slowing down can lead to greater productivity in the long run. Your brain needs space to process information and make connections—it’s not built for non-stop, high-speed activity.
Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Ability to Change
One of the most powerful aspects of the brain is its ability to rewire itself. Your brain doesn’t stay static throughout your life. Instead, it continuously adapts based on your experiences. This means that when you make conscious choices to slow down and practice mindfulness, you can literally change the way your brain functions. It took me years to get good at it, but let me tell you, it is worth it!
The more you practice slow living, the more you create new neural pathways that support calm, clarity, and intentional decision-making. Conversely, when you push yourself to constantly be in “go-mode,” you reinforce neural pathways associated with stress, anxiety, and reactive behavior. Over time, this can leave you feeling overwhelmed and burned out. By adopting a slower pace, you allow your brain to build more adaptive, productive pathways that support both your professional and personal life.
For lawyers, this is particularly important. The legal field requires both strategic thinking and emotional regulation. Whether you’re negotiating a deal, managing client expectations, or presenting a case in court, the ability to stay calm, focused, and clear-headed is critical. Slowing down allows you to create the mental space needed to assess situations without being driven purely by adrenaline or stress. Over time, this can help you become more effective, balanced, and resilient.
The Science Behind Slow Living: How It Benefits Your Brain and Body
When you engage in slow living, your brain and body undergo several positive changes. First and foremost, slowing down allows you to enter a state of relaxation, which reduces the activation of the stress response. This, in turn, lowers your cortisol levels—the hormone associated with stress. High cortisol levels can have a negative impact on your memory, immune system, and even your emotional well-being. When you slow down and practice mindfulness, your cortisol levels drop, leading to improved cognitive function, better emotional regulation, and greater overall well-being.
Additionally, slow living encourages the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system. This system is responsible for helping you recover from stress and maintain balance in your body. When you’re constantly in a state of stress, your sympathetic nervous system (the “fight or flight” system) is in overdrive, preventing your body from fully relaxing. By adopting slower, more deliberate actions throughout the day, you allow your parasympathetic nervous system to restore balance and bring you back to a calm, grounded state.
For example, taking regular breaks throughout the day allows your brain to consolidate memories, process emotions, and reset its focus. This means that instead of pushing yourself to work non-stop, you’ll accomplish more by working in focused, intentional bursts. Studies have shown that taking short breaks increases productivity and prevents cognitive fatigue, allowing you to sustain your energy and focus over longer periods.
As a lawyer, this could mean setting aside time for focused work sessions, followed by brief periods of pause and relaxation. By incorporating slow living principles into your workday, you can avoid the trap of endless busyness and instead prioritize the tasks that truly move the needle. This intentional approach allows you to work smarter, not harder, leading to greater success and fulfillment in your legal practice. As a lawyer, this means that taking breaks or even just stepping away from your desk for a few moments can help reset your nervous system. This is especially important when you’re faced with high-stakes situations or emotionally charged interactions. The more you can regulate your stress levels, the more effectively you can engage with your work and your clients.
Embracing Slow Living for a Better Future
I know that culturally slow living is maligned, as “hustle culture” is so prevalently lauded. But slow living isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters with intention, clarity, and mindfulness. As a lawyer, embracing this mindset allows you to make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and achieve a sense of balance that supports both your career and personal well-being. By giving yourself the time and space to slow down, you’re not only improving your cognitive function and emotional regulation, but you’re also creating a more sustainable approach to success. It’s a bit like the turtle and the hare story, the rabbit may seem ahead, but because the turtle takes its time and even stops to take a nap, it is the one who ends up able to finish the race.
Your brain thrives when you take it easy. By embracing the science of slow living, you’re giving yourself permission to step off the hamster wheel of constant stress and instead focus on what truly matters. The result? Greater productivity, improved decision-making, and a deeper sense of fulfillment. In a profession that demands so much, slow living isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-term success.
I’m excited to share my award-winning book with you—a game-changer for achieving deep, lasting wellness in a way that actually feels balanced. Take a peek!: Link Here