Embracing a Mindful Life for Health and Happiness

It’s been a while since my last post, where I wrote about how a mental shift—and the timeless insights of Stoic philosophy—helped me navigate life with a new perspective. Those guiding principles still shape my days, but my journey has since evolved. I’ve continued exploring ideas and practices that fall under the broad but beautiful umbrella of slow living. And the truth is: they’ve helped me more than I ever imagined.

After a diagnosis that forced me to rethink everything, one message from my cardiologists became crystal clear: reduce stress. Not later—now. That simple directive has become the foundation of my new way of living. In searching for ways to calm the noise and realign with what matters most, I discovered a set of concepts that overlap, interconnect, and reinforce one another. Together, they form a practical philosophy—grounded, intentional, and deeply human.

What Slow Living Means to Me

Slow living is not about doing nothing or giving up ambition. It’s about shifting the focus from speed and productivity to presence and meaning. It’s a deliberate move away from the “always-on” culture and towards a life where quality beats quantity, and where space exists for what truly nourishes us.

Here are the ideas that have supported me most:

1. Mindfulness – At the heart of everything. Being fully present—whether it’s sipping morning coffee, walking in the woods, or listening without distractions—creates an anchor in the now. Meditation helps, but mindfulness can also be practiced in everyday moments.
2. Minimalism – I’ve simplified what I own, how I work, and what I commit to. Less clutter outside helps calm the noise inside. Every object or obligation now asks the question: Does this add value or just fill space?
3. Sustainability – Living with care for the planet gives purpose. I’ve embraced small changes: buying local, avoiding waste, choosing products that reflect my values. It’s not perfection—it’s awareness.
4. Self-Care – True self-care is often unglamorous: rest, boundaries, fresh air, quiet mornings. I’ve learned to honor my energy and listen to my body more than the pressure of my calendar.
5. Slow Food – Meals have become sacred. Home-cooked, thoughtfully prepared food—often local and shared—has a way of slowing time. I taste more, talk more, rush less.
6. Hygge – From Denmark, this concept of cozy togetherness resonates deeply: candles, warm drinks, soft light, good books, shared meals. It’s simple pleasure, intentionally cultivated.
7. Lagom – The Swedish art of “just enough.” Not too much, not too little. In work, consumption, relationships—finding balance without excess. It’s a quiet rebellion against more, more, more.
8. Intentional Living – Every day offers a choice: live by default or design. I’ve become more deliberate in how I spend my time, who I give my energy to, and what I say yes (or no) to.
9. Nature Connection – Being in nature—whether it’s mountains, sea, or simply trees on a walk—grounds me. I’ve come to feel that nature doesn’t just heal us—it reminds us who we are.
10. Work-Life Balance – This one is ongoing. But I’ve started setting clearer boundaries, blocking off real downtime, and resisting the urge to “just check one more thing.” Rest is productive.
11. Frugality – Not about deprivation, but freedom. When I spend mindfully and need less, I create space—for people, travel, time. I’ve come to value experience over things.
12. Slow Travel – Instead of ticking off sights, I’ve slowed down to savor places—one village, one conversation, one homemade meal at a time. Less “seen,” more felt.
13. Gratitude – I keep a short, daily list. Nothing fancy: a breeze, a smile, a good book. Gratitude reshapes how I see the day—and often, how the day unfolds.
14. Community – Slowing down has made me more present for others. I now seek fewer, deeper connections over wider, shallower ones. In a fast world, true belonging is rare—and precious.

A Life Worth Living

This isn’t about rules or rigidity. It’s about tuning into what matters most and gently letting go of what doesn’t. Slow living, for me, has become a lifeline—not just for mental clarity, but for health. In fact, it may be the most powerful form of medicine I’ve found.

If you’re also navigating life after a health scare, a burnout, or simply a sense that things are moving too fast, I invite you to explore these ideas. They’re not about escape—they’re about coming home to yourself.

I still have goals. I still get things done. But I do it all with more breath, more space, and far less noise.

Slow living is not just a lifestyle—it’s a way to fully live. And that, I’ve learned, is the best medicine of all.

You can read more about my journey and previous reflections at vanderbeken.ch/sca. If any of these ideas speak to you, I’d love to hear about it.