Chill Vibes: Mastering Slow Living in a World of Hustle

Last week was draining — 12-hour workdays through the week, crazy product development deadlines, an Achilles Tendonitis injury that refused to resolve in a hurry, untimely periods onset and an unplanned visit from family. I’m usually the energized one, but this phase felt overwhelming — exhausting not just physically, but mentally too. 

And then I remembered something I had read somewhere: “Hustle may sometimes own your hours, but calm should always own a few minutes of your life daily.” 

I decided to consciously slow down yet again. Over time, I have developed a simple reset ritual, one that never fails to recenter me.

Chakra Meditation/Guided Meditation

• Chakra Meditation (10 Mins) with slow breathing and focus on the 7 chakras in circular rhythmic patterns starting from Mooladhar (Base of Spine) and moving to Swadishthan (Sacral), Manipur (Solar Plexus), Anahata (Heart), Vishuddh (Throat) and all the way upto Ajna (Third Eye) and Sahasrara (Crown), letting the body soften, the muscles unclench. This technique is unique in that it relaxes the Central Nervous System completely within mins and puts the body from fight or flight mold to relaxed mode. It also clears your thinking, fights anxiety and improves focus.
• Guided Meditation (10 Mins) involves a mediation coach talk you down to an induced deep relaxation state that has a similar effect of calming the nervous system and this is a particularly useful for going to sleep. Many people don’t know it but Apple Music has some of the best guided meditation/sleep tracks that can help you unwind and sleep soundly at the end of a hard day. 

Science of Breath

• Slow Pursed Lips Breathing (20 Reps) with inhalation for 4 counts through nose, and exhalation for 8 counts through mouth can immediately relieve stress and have a powerful calming effect
• Aalom Vilom (10 Reps) with slow deep breathing in through one nostril for 4 breaths and slow breathing out of the other nostril for 8 counts can immediately relieve anxiety
• Box Breathing (10 Reps) is a technique where you take a brown bag or box and breath in and out through that. This improves breathing rhythm and again alleviates stress and anxiety

Daily Leisure Activities

• Slow Mornings in a calm, green place – could be a balcony or a garden, a park or a trail. Just looking far into the greens can have a beneficial effect on your cortisol levels and blood pressure. Make sure to go slow and be mentally unoccupied for atleast 1 hour post waking up. No phone, no calls, no exercise, no rush. Just simple relaxation and curling up with a cup of Adrak Chai staring into the greens, listening to music or even reading a book. The idea is to be in a leisurely and unhurried mode at this time.
• Short Walks even for ten mins in the middle of a busy day break the stress cycle and force you to calm down.
• Nature Walks/Treks once every weekend can bring back the rhythm and calm you down. Again, this gives you a mental break more than just a physical one
• Swimming is a potent activity for calming your mind. The slow movements and controlled breathing and the underwater feel immediately relax you.
• Gym/Workout has known benefits and a 60 min daily workout schedule with static and dynamic stretches (20 Mins), resistance training (20 Mins) and HIIT/Cardio (20 Mins) does wonders for stress management.
• Evening Rituals: Using aromatic oils, washing feet in cold water or a warm bath before sleeping may be a great idea to relax your nervous system and help your body prepare for recovery and reset

Functional Herbs & Adaptogenics

Several functional herbs are nature’s biohacks — helping you unwind, sleep deeper, and reset your nervous system after a hectic day. At iShotsTM, we are working on several of these powerful herbs and natural compounds to create exceptional products for relaxation, recovery and reset:

• Ashwagandha: The ultimate adaptogen. Lowers cortisol, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep quality.
• Brahmi: Enhances memory, reduces anxiety, and supports a calm, clear mind.
• L-Theanine: An amino acid in tea. Promotes deep relaxation without drowsiness, improves focus.
• Matcha: Rich in L-Theanine + antioxidants. Calms the nervous system while sustaining alertness.
• Green Tea: Gentle, everyday relaxant. Combines L-Theanine with mild caffeine for balanced energy and calm focus. Tulsi/Holy Basil – Calms the nervous system, balances stress response, and supports immunity.
• Chamomile: Classic bedtime herb. Helps relax muscles, reduce tension, and induce deep sleep.
• Lavender: Soothes the mind, lowers blood pressure, and promotes relaxation through tea or aromatherapy.

To sum it up: these simple daily rituals, small pauses through the day and plant allies aren’t just for rest — they’re the most LIT biohacks for longevity!                                                                                                                                                         
Author: Nidhi Saxena