“Many of us are programmed to think that the harder we try in life, the greater our results will be. But what is the cost of this full-throttle approach to life,” writes Emily Madill for Thrive Global. “At the end of our journey, will we be grateful for having lived a fast-paced life? Or will we long to have more space and time to linger in the in-between moments?”

Madill offers several ways to slow down when life gets hectic.

• Take your time. A fast-paced work life can keep us busy and also miserable in the long run.

“It’s not sustainable to push all the time, or attempt to match the pace of everyone else but yourself,” writes Madill.

“The pressure we put on ourselves to keep up, is exactly the kind of push that leads to burnout and overwhelm.”

• Take care of yourself. Stress and exhaustion can have a physical impact on our bodies.

“Thankfully, we are equipped with physical senses and emotions. Our bodies will give us cues when we are tired, hungry, thirsty, happy, sad, overwhelmed, etc.,” writes Madill.

“We have to actually tune in, listen and take action though. It doesn’t work in our favor, when we ignore our cues, and instead keep pushing or numbing out. It’s okay to surrender and give our bodies what is truly needed – often this looks like rest and nurturing.”

• Let loose. Finding ways to de-stress and have fun can help you lighten up and slow down.

“A playful attitude is something we can bring with us everywhere we go. It’s okay to lighten up and approach our days with lightheartedness and a willingness to have fun. It’s fun to have fun,” writes Madill.

See how it feels to let go of the idea you should approach your day with great effort and force.

"Instead, surrender to the notion that life doesn’t have to feel hard. It can feel softer when we are open to play,” suggests Madill.