This is like the slow food movement applied to everything – and it’s about time.
A movement in Quebec is trying to convince people of the benefits of slowing down. Considering the hectic pace many people reportedly follow and the resulting stress, a little bit of taking time to smell the roses and meditating on life could be the best thing the doctor ordered.
Clemence Boucher, a Montreal community worker, is hoping International Slowness Day will catch on elsewhere. She and some friends in 2001 picked June 21, the longest day of the year, to celebrate soothing activities and not being in a rush.
Nine years later, the event found a modest following of several dozen participants at a Montreal park, all relaxing and enjoying music, art and yoga.
Some people in Ontario are considering adopting the movement. Similar events are also held in Italy and Greece.
Considering a recent report from the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, this is timely. Focusing on the use of time, leisure and culture in Canada, it found that the proportion of Canadians reporting they experience a lot of pressure on their time grew from 16.4 per cent in 1992 to 19.6 per cent in 2005.
In particular, trends show younger couples caring for children or, another example, middle-aged adults caring for both children and seniors. Certainly that would be time spent in a worthwhile way – but at the same time, people need to learn to relax to avoid burning out.
Also, the work week shows fewer people working longer hours, but more working non-standard hours: weekends, evening, nights and rotating shifts.
Roy Romanow, chairman of the index’s advisory board, cites the need for “serious national dialogue” both on how Canadians lead their lives and how they can get more balance into them.
Indeed, spending time efficiently and productively is great, but when people turn themselves into machines, much is lost for what is gained.
