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David Lawrence Centers

The Power of Pause:

the Art of Slowing Down

to Speed Up

NCH First in Florida

to Activate New Implantable Therapy for Sleep Apnea

By Jasmine Pagano,
Wellness Program Supervisor at DLC Wellness Institute
at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

t a young age, many of us were taught Ways to practice slowing down include:
the lesson of The Tortoise and the The Doorknob Pause: Before opening a door – whether walking
A Hare: slow and steady wins the race. into a meeting, entering your home or starting a difficult conversation
Yet as adults, we often live by a very different – pause for ten seconds. Take a breath and set an intention for how
rule. We push ourselves to move faster, do you want to show up. This brief pause can shift the tone of what
more and fill every moment with activity. follows.
Productivity becomes a measure of worth, The Five-Breath Rule: Before responding to an urgent email or
and busyness becomes a badge of honor. The stressful situation, take five slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through
message seems clear: good is not good enough. your nose and out through your mouth. This helps calm the body
Good must become better, and better must become best, as quickly and shifts the brain out of fight or flight mode, allowing for a more
as possible. thoughtful response.
But what if this mindset is holding us back? Perhaps slowing Transition Buffers: Build in five to ten minutes of space between
down and moving at a more intentional pace is not a weakness meetings or major tasks. Instead of rushing to the next item on your
but a strategy that can help us achieve better results. This idea is list, use this time to mentally close one task before starting another.
known as the paradox of pace. Slowing down with purpose allows This practice reduces mental overload and improves focus.
us to become more focused, more creative and ultimately more The End-of-Day Reset: Spend the last five minutes of your day
productive. reflecting on what went well and identifying your most important
Taking time to slow down can improve the quality of your task for tomorrow. Writing it down allows your mind to rest,
work and your overall wellbeing. For example, when you pause to knowing it will be addressed later.
review a project carefully, you catch mistakes before they become Slowing down is not about doing less. It is about doing what
larger problems. Slowing down to truly listen during a conversation matters most, better. When you create space to pause, you think
strengthens trust and connection. Giving yourself permission to more clearly, support healthier habits and more sustainable success.
rest restores the energy needed to perform well. In these moments, In a fast-paced world, choosing to slow down could become your
slowing down does not delay success, it drives it. greatest competitive advantage.
Despite its benefits, slowing down can feel uncomfortable. We To learn more about the work DLC is doing to provide lifesaving and
are conditioned to believe that constant motion equals progress. life-changing behavioral health care to those in need, visit DLCenters.org
Pausing may feel unproductive or even lazy. In reality, it is a skill
and can be one of the most powerful tools for long-term success.
Pauses allow your nervous system to reset, helping you shift from
a reactive state to a thoughtful one. When you pause, you make
better decisions, manage stress more effectively and respond instead
of reacting. Over time, these small moments of intention add up to
greater clarity and improved performance.

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