The Intentional Act of Slowing Down

September 29, 2026

At KindRoot Home, we celebrate intentional slowness. From deliberately choosing oil over lacquer, to the way we get to know our clients first before suggesting any kitchen design solutions, to the time we take choosing materials and developing new products, everything we do is considered.

For us, the intentional act of slowing down is a conscious choice to step away from interior fads, unrealistic AI kitchen design, and a need to do everything with urgency, to instead focus on quality, integrity, being present and making considered decisions.

Why does the ethos of ‘slowing down’ matter when we’re working on your kitchen?

True craftwork: By intentionally choosing to only work with natural materials, hand made simply, but beautifully, we have been able to hone our craft and get really good at what we do
Respect for our materials: we understand our materials, how to get the best out of them and how to make them look fantastic in your kitchen. We want the grain in your doors to be flowing in the same direction, we want the handles on your doors to be beautifully tactile, we want the smoothest of corners, the perfect pop of the birch ply and the most luxurious oiled finish. Because we’re dependent on these beautiful materials and artisanal finish, we sometimes have longer lead times than some high street kitchen companies - and that’s OK. We know our kitchen aren’t for everyone and that’s ok too, we have chosen to work slowly and intentionally with respect for our materials and we know the right clients understand and appreciate that
Deeper connections with our clients: we give you our full attention and get to know you, what solutions you want your new kitchen to provide and how you want your new kitchen to feel, before finalising your kitchen design. We develop a strong relationship with you before we start cutting materials, which we believe helps us create a kitchen beyond your expectations
Clearer thinking: knowing our materials well and creating a deep connection with you helps makes for better, more creative decision-making on your kitchen design. We also allow you all the space you need to sit with a design and fall in love with it

But slowing down for us isn’t just how we run our business, it’s woven into the DNA of the team and it’s what we bring of ourselves when we’re working on your kitchen. Anecdotally, we see huge benefits to our mental and physical health because of our choices outside of work, so can the intentional act of ‘slowing down’ actually have health benefits too?

Well, yes, the intentional act of slowing down improves your physical and mental health by calming your nervous system and lowering stress hormones

Physical Health Benefits

Lowers blood pressure: having a more relaxed outlook and generally just taking life a bit slower helps reduce heart rate and blood pressure
Decreases cortisol: building intentional slowness into your day can reduce your levels of cortisol, the main stress hormone
Improves digestion: your body handles food and rest better when it is not in a constant state of panic or urgency
Aids recovery: physical and emotional rest allows your body to repair tissue, fight inflammation, and boost immune function

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Reduces anxiety: stepping back from a fast pace lowers burnout risk and emotional exhaustion
Improves focus: doing one thing at a time in an intentional and focused way reduces mental fatigue
Increases self-awareness: a slower pace gives you space to notice your thoughts, feelings, and physical needs

We picked the brains of the KindRoot team to see if we had any of our own tips or tricks on how to bring more mindfulness and ‘slowness’ into your day-to-day. From simply switching off your mobile phone an hour earlier than usual, to slowing your pace when you walk, we invite you to try some of the simple ways we practice slowness to see if they make a difference to you.

Small daily changes to live a more intentional, ‘slower’ life

Drop your pace: rather than rushing to your destination, try walking slower, making an effort to notice your surroundings and engage with the world around you
Limit your mobile phone use in the evening: experiment with your phone settings and try turning on ‘sleep mode’ to give you a few hours mobile free in the evening before bed
Try deep breathing exercises: breathing more deeply has numerous health benefits and can be fitted in throughout your day, how about trying this one while waiting for a kettle to boil! Practicing simple deep breathing techniques like Box Breathing, for a few minutes a day can calm busy minds
Eat mindfully: we can often be popping another forkful of food in your mouth before you’ve finished the first. Try putting your fork down between bites, chewing slowly, and really noticing the textures and flavors of your food
Physically pause at thresholds: stop for one deep breath before walking through a doorway, answering a phone, or entering a new room
Learn to say no!: don’t commit to social engagements, extra projects or family obligations that crowd your calendar with things you don’t really want to do and leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. This can be a hard behaviour to change, so start by setting a goal of saying ‘no’ to just one little ask a week until your confidence grows
Single-task with ceremony: pick one basic daily task; like washing your hands, drinking coffee, or making toast, and give it your complete, undivided attention