Psychologists named the unexpected trend of 2026

Millions of people around the world are increasingly embracing the philosophy of slow living - a conscious deceleration and rejection of the constant rat race. Scientists from Perm Polytechnic University (Russia) explained what lies behind this trend, why conventional rest has stopped restoring energy, and in which cases slowing down actually helps.

This was reported to gazeta.ru by the press service of the educational institution.

Modern people live under conditions of constant overload: work tasks, information flow, social media, and messengers have practically erased the boundary between work and rest. As a result, a condition forms that researchers call not only professional but also "civilizational burnout" - when a person loses the ability to recover.

"It is precisely this total exhaustion that has given rise to the new trend of so-called slow living, which in 2026 is being chosen by an increasing number of people around the world," said Konstantin Antipyev, Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology and Political Science at PNRPU, Candidate of Sociological Sciences.

The idea of slow living emerged back in the 1980s as a protest against the culture of acceleration. Today it encompasses various spheres - from nutrition to attitudes toward aging. As noted by Svetlana Dinburg, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy and Law at PNRPU, the key principle of this approach is shifting the focus from quantity to quality.

"Slowing down is life with an emphasis on mindfulness and attention to detail. It is a form of resistance to the 'rat race' through refusing to participate in its rhythm," she explained.

Millennials and Gen Z are particularly active supporters of this philosophy. According to Antipyev, these generations have a different attitude toward mental health and are not willing to sacrifice themselves for work. At the same time, slowing down for them is not a rejection of technology but a rethinking of how it is used.

Paradoxically, even rest today often fails to provide recovery. People continue to consume information, switch between tasks, and strive for efficiency even in their free time. As a result, the brain does not switch into recovery mode but merely changes the type of load.

"The phenomenon of laziness is being actively reconsidered today. It is not a vice but an energy-saving mechanism, a drive to achieve results with minimal expenditure of resources," notes Svetlana Dinburg.

From a neurophysiological standpoint, periods of "doing nothing" are essential: during this time, the brain switches to internal information processing, forms new connections, and facilitates the emergence of unconventional solutions. This is precisely why important ideas often come not during intense work but during moments of rest.

However, slowing down is not suitable for everyone or in every situation. According to Konstantin Antipyev, it is particularly beneficial for people with high levels of anxiety, a tendency toward burnout, and residents of large cities. However, in some cases it can worsen one's condition.

"This applies to people in an acute phase of depression or those who use slowing down as a way to escape from problems. In such situations, it can intensify apathy and a sense of meaninglessness," he explained.