Life ebbs and flows with peaks of ease and spikes of challenges. At any given moment, we tend to have a lot to juggle— life, home, family, work, health, emotional well being, personal growth, finances and the effort it takes to maintain all of it. There will naturally be times when life is completely out of balance, but when it is sustained and a lifestyle pattern, it can have a real impact on our emotional and physical health. Studies have shown that short-term stress can boost the immune system, but chronic stress has a significant effect on the immune system that ultimately manifest an illness. If you can find the sweet spot of balance — of giving and receiving, of work and play, of engagement and introspection, your life will reflect more bliss.
If you don’t know if your life has balance, take stock of how you spend your time. Are there areas where you’re dedicating excessive amounts of time and neglecting others? Do you work 12 hours a day, sleep 5 and spend 0 hours on your own self and personal growth? Are you all give and no take?
Check in with your emotional and physical signals. Do you get irritated easily? Are you having mood swings, anxiety or feeling of overwhelmed? Do you have passion for events in your life or are you just pushing through and exhausted 24/7? Are you always behind the 8 ball and never in front of it? These are all signs that something in your life may not be getting the attention it deserves.
Here’s a bit of hard earned wisdom. No one is likely to ask you to do less, work less or care less. Taking time to find balance is an inside job. You have to take the reins and schedule in the time you need to achieve that work/life/home balance. And for that you need boundaries both on the personal and professional front.
Boundaries are a hard thing for most people and even when we know we don’t have the bandwidth, we tend to overextend ourselves and say yes more than we politely decline. Learning to say no in a self empowered and kind way is one of the biggest skills you can use to bring more balance in your life. We have to get over the idea that we are disappointing others and instead know that we are choosing our selves and doing what is right for the good of all. If you say yes to things you really don’t want to do, you’re not going to show up as your best self and the stress is going to show up somewhere — most likely in your relationships and your physical body.
Here are a few strategies that may help you bring more balance.
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish boundaries between work and personal life. Turn off work-related notifications during personal time.
Prioritize Self-Care: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. This can include regular exercise, mindfulness practices, taking baths, personal care or simply taking time to be in nature. If you’re not loving where you are personally, you won’t show up as your best self for anyone.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation and techniques can help you stay present and reduce stress. Even 5 minutes a day can make a difference.
Delegate and Seek Help: Don't be afraid to delegate tasks or seek assistance when needed, whether at work or in your personal life. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak — it makes you smart. Recognizing when we need help is important for mental and physical health as well as productivity.
Time Management: Try and do the most important tasks of the day within the first 2 hours of waking or at work. Turn off phone notifications during this time. If you can cross the big things off your list first, your mind can be free to handle the smaller tasks more easily.
Regular Reviews: Periodically assess your life and make adjustments as needed. What worked for you in the past might need to change as your kids become more self sufficient, your parents age, your workload shifts or circumstances evolve.
Achieving more balance and bliss in life is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, regular assessment, and adaptability but will ultimately create a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling journey. Remember, balance is not about perfection but about making conscious choices that align with your values and well-being. It's about finding the bliss of doing and simply being.
