Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday, The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.

It's time to SLOW down. Life will fly by too fast if you don't slow down and pay attention to being "in the moment." Think about it. When you rush, you become stressed. Stress leads to ill health because consistently pushing your own "pedal to the medal" elevates cortisol levels. I know, I bring up lowering cortisol levels quite often but some say it's easier said then done. To give you a little push in the right (and healthier) direction, here are Seven Slow Down Strategies you might want to implement this week. If I told you slowing down will help you to be leaner, would you do it? Then do it for weight reasons. Just slow down!

• Get up earlier. Set your alarm clock for 30 minutes earlier than normal and take your time getting ready. Who knows, you might actually enjoy sitting down to breakfast and drinking your morning cup of "joe" or tea along with an egg or two and a slice of whole grain bread and a bowl of berries. Have a "slow" breakfast!
• Take your time getting to work. There is no comparison to how you will feel if you slow down and take your time commuting to work. Make it a point to look around. Take in the sites. Look up at the sky. Smile at someone. Take it easy.
  

• Be still for five minutes and do nothing, every day. Sit down on a bench. When you walk through your dining room, sit down and take a few deep breaths. Listen to the silence (if you can find some!) and feel the beat of your own heart. Close your eyes and breathe slowly and methodically. Try not to think of unpleasant, stressful things.
• Pet an animal. Do you own pets? Take the time to look in their eyes and pet their coat or skin and appreciate the role they play in your life. Don't have a pet? Stop by a pond and feed the ducks. Drop into a local pet store and connect with the animals. Pet a dog. Hold a cat. Watch the fish. Enjoy the few moments you have dedicated to an animal or animals!
• Create your own "Tea Time" each afternoon. Take 15 to 30 minutes and sit down and have a cup of tea. Enjoy the experience. Invite friends for a cup of tea. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just a cup of tea and conversation.
  
• Stop multi-tasking. Do things one at a time. You will be happier and less stressed. Stop taking your lunch to your computer and eating while you work! What difference does it make? A HUGE one, that's what! Eating while working on your computer can cause you to be a mindless eater. Mindless eating leads to weight gain and ill health. Doing too many things at once can also increase stress hormones. Do you really want to do that? Take it one task at a time.
• Slow down to appreciate you. For years, I felt as if I was running from myself. I was so busy trying to be productive, to do something, to "BE" someone when in reality, I was leaving myself behind and not taking care of me. These days, I do things to show myself appreciation. Instead of jumping in the shower and rushing out the door, I choose to take a bath, play a bit of my favorite relaxing music, and enjoy languishing in the bath. Even though I know I could be using my time more productively, I know slowing things down is good for ME in the long run. In the spirit of "self-appreciation," this week be kind to yourself. Treat yourself as you would a guest. Have a seat. Drink a glass of cool water. Sit in a comfy chair. Look in the mirror and like who you see. Haven't you worked hard enough? You deserve to slow down and take a moment. Or two. Or three.
  

This week "Turn On!" your "slow down" mode. Do you already have ways to slow down? Let us know what they are!