ARE YOU ADDICTED TO URGENCY?

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes a sense of renewal we’ve all been craving. The hedges are turning green again, cherry blossom is appearing, and everything in nature seems to be waking up finally.

At this time of year, many of us feel a natural pull toward fresh starts — clearing out cupboards, reorganising life admin, making plans. It can feel energising, but it can also feed something many of us don’t realise we’re carrying: an addiction to urgency.

I noticed it in myself recently. After a busy weekend of house jobs, family time, gardening, and (very importantly) chocolate, I woke up on Sunday determined to have a slow day. But the moment my eyes opened, my mind started racing through my To Do List like it was a competition.

Instead of getting swept up in it, I tried something simple: I slowed everything down. My breathing. The way I turned over in bed. How I walked downstairs. Even how I made my morning cup of tea. It felt almost exaggerated at first, but within minutes I could feel my whole system calming down.

WHY WE RUSH - AND WHY SLOWING DOWN HELPS

In modern life, many of us are unknowingly living in a state of constant urgency. We move fast because we’re used to moving fast. Our nervous systems adapt to that pace, and before we know it, rushing becomes our default setting.

But when you physically slow down, your breath deepens, your nervous system softens, and your mind follows. It’s one of the simplest mindfulness practices you can weave into daily life — no meditation cushion required.

A SIMPLE MINDFULNESS PRACTICE TO TRY THIS WEEK

Choose one everyday action and do it 20% slower. That’s it.

Try:

• Walking through your home more slowly

• Making your tea or coffee with intention

• Preparing dinner without rushing

• Taking a few deeper breaths before you start a task

These tiny shifts help regulate your nervous system (ie bring yourself back into balance), reduce stress, and bring you back into the present moment. It’s a small act with a surprisingly big impact.

IF YOU'RE CRAVING A DEEPER REST

You might love The Mindful Reset, my half day retreat at The Gasworks in Sudbury — a beautiful nature‑surrounded venue that’s perfect for slowing down and reconnecting.

It’s likely to be the only half day retreat I run this year, so if you’ve been thinking about joining, this is the moment to say yes.

During the retreat, we’ll explore practices designed to help you unwind, soften, and reset:

• A grounding yoga flow

• Time outside in nature, including a mindful walk

• Tea and delicious snacks

• Myofascial release yin yoga to melt tension

• A deeply restorative sound bath

It’s a spacious, nourishing afternoon that supports your wellbeing on every level — body, mind, and nervous system.

See you soon,

Helen

Helen is the founder of Roots & Reeds - Yoga and Wellness. She is a yoga teacher, breath coach and wellbeing practitioner based in Burton and Derbyshire. She specialises in restorative practices that soothe the nervous system and support people in slowing, reconnecting and finding calm in everyday life. Through yoga, breathwork, meditation, Reiki and sound, she helps people build grounded, sustainable wellbeing that feels accessible and real.