It's All About Balance

Do you feel as if you barely make it through the day?  How about the more you do “the behinder you get” at work? Are you totally exhausted by the end of the week and just collapse face down into your pillow on the weekend?  You, my friend, are suffering from a lack of balance in your life.  So how do you fix this?

Slow down:  Life is too short to let it go by in an exhausted blur.  On your next weekend off, turn off your cell phone, unplug your computer, shut off the television and unplug yourself from all the technology.  Take a walk outside, breathe the air, talk to your spouse, family or significant other.  You can’t do that you say, why not?  If you’re off work, then you should be able to just chill out and relax.  You will be doing something constructive in getting back your sense of self and unwinding. So what if the sweeper isn’t run, the dust bunnies need more than a week to take over anyhow!

Control your computer, don’t let it control you:  Set boundaries when you are going to be online.  Do you really need to check Facebook every half hour?  Check your inbox twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.  When you see how much time you are on the computer doing things that aren’t actually that necessary instead of reading a book, doing a hobby, enjoying another person’s company or relaxing, you will be shocked.

Schedule your time and do things you enjoy doing:  If it’s important to you, write it down.  Lunch with a friend, write it down.  Going to the gym?  Write it down.  Date night with your spouse or significant other?  Write it down.  You get my drift?  Build downtime into your schedule.  If you know you have something fun planned, it makes your work day more tolerable when you get stressed.  When you know you have something planned, then you make it a point not to waste your day at work and stay caught up so you can get out on time.

Do not spend your time on things of no value:  Take a look at activities that aren’t enhancing your life and get rid of them.  When faced with a choice, ask the question will this enhance your life or create more stress.   Get up a little earlier and go to bed a little later to create time for you. If you are spreading yourself too thin, learn to say no. If you don’t want to make those 7 dozen cupcakes for the school bake sale, don’t feel guilty saying no.  Is the resentment really worth it?  Make a donation instead, they’ll appreciate the money, and you will have done your part.

If you need help with something, ask: There is nothing worse than a person who needs help but suffers in silence.  If you need help at work with something, ask for it.  If you need help at home, speak up.  People may not do it the way you do it but it will get done, isn’t that the point?

Balance your work, balance your home life, balance you, this is the key to less stress and a more productive, happier and healthier you.

If you know of ways to keep balance in your life, please post your comment.