Everybody is looking for balance. Clients tell me that they feel their life is out of balance, off-kilter, and out of whack. They will often say that they don’t even have time to think about it. That, right there, is a great clue that they are not prioritizing their time, which leads to feeling “out of balance.” We all have the same 24 hours per day to utilize in living our best life. Right? While that is true, we do not all have the same ability to cope with stress and fatigue or health, financial and employment issues. So let’s consider how we might find a little balance in our lives.
There are typically four areas to address when getting ourselves in order. Emotional, spiritual, mental and physical. Emotional well-being relates to being able to manage your emotions, having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life as well as being able to rely on some solid support systems.
Emotional Wellness
Positive emotional well-being can reduce the risk of illness, injury and mental health challenges. Here are three ways to improve your emotional health:
1. Build your communication skills. Learn how to listen to others and speak about your own needs, as well.
2. Keep a journal. Writing out your thoughts and ideas helps you bring them to life.
3. Practice relaxation techniques, even if for just a few minutes each day. This could include doing breathing exercises, yoga or meditating.
4. Nurture your spiritual health, whatever that might look like for you. Spiritual health is the connection to the inner and outer world that supports your purpose and meaning. This is where you find inner peace and calm. Having solid spiritual well-being helps you understand right and wrong, remain hopeful and peaceful, and have compassion for others. There is no right or wrong way to have spiritual well-being. Each of us has the power to determine what that looks like for ourselves. Some might find it by enjoying the outdoors, others in a religious home, yet others might discover it by practicing healthy eating.
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, behavioral and social well-being. That’s a lot! It is important to remember that our mental well-being is fluid and changes from day to day, depending on internal and external influences. How you react today to a situation may well differ from how you would react to those same circumstances next week. Having good mental health is a key component of your overall health and is closely related to your physical health. Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for mental health resources, help and solutions. Also know that if you are struggling with your mental well-being or are in crisis, you can always call 988 (it’s a NATIONAL hotline) and get support. Don’t be afraid to reach out!
Physical Wellness
While mental health is key to keeping your life in balance, so is physical health. When our body feels good, everything else in our life also seems to feel better. Americans face huge challenges when it comes to supporting their physical health due to the popularity of processed foods, our over-reliance on electronics and our often passive work situations. This is an area so many of us struggle with, including me. As someone with a chronic disease, I frequently experience pain levels that keep me from moving around too much. This keeps me from reaching my full strength, leads to boredom that makes me feel down and so on. Exercise does not mean you have to head to the gym for a grueling workout every day! Maybe it means a gentle walk after dinner or a great ocean swim in the morning. Or, maybe, it’s just a simple stretching routine during a work break. Most states even have a “state exercise!” For example, Maryland (the first state to create a state exercise in 2008) has designated walking as their choice of movement. Missouri? Jumping jacks. Alaska uses a “Get Out and Play” platform, utilizing the outdoor advantage to play with youth. Do something you enjoy and reap the benefits!
Ultimately, finding balance is about making self-care a priority and taking the time to discover and do those activities that make you feel both mentally and physically well, even if it is just for a few minutes a day!