On maintaining balance
We live in a busy world and it is easy to get caught up with the daily grind. Often, our focus is on taking care of everything externally, rather than taking care of ourselves inside out. Going to work, paying bills, fitting in a daily workout, cooking and other chores–these things make us seem functional on the outside, without examining how balanced we are on the inside.
As a result, we create unnecessary stress in our lives and our well being takes a toll. Just as important as it is to bring your car into service regularly to maintain and check the inside, it’s also equally important to nourish your mind and your heart.
Here are a few tips to help you stay emotionally balanced in your busy life.
1. Pencil yourself in your calendar
We often pencil in everyone and everything we have got going on in our schedules, why not take it a step further and schedule yourself in your planner? When you write something down, you actually activate a different part of your brain. And when you see it written down, it activates another area. So in essence you are unconsciously increasing your brain’s focus on the importance of taking care of yourself.
2. Girl’s night out
While you have your planner open, why not also schedule a regular girl’s night out with your girls? Studies have shown that scheduling a regular girl’s night out has tremendous benefits for your well-being. We need friendship to get through the thick and thin, the good and the bad, the highs and lows.
I love spending time with my girls because we have such a supportive friendship that’s built on trust and encouragement. We help keep each other sane and fuel each other’s spirits. The emotional support we receive from venting and blowing off steam, or getting a good laugh, is invaluable to our health and happiness.
3. Release the pressure of needing to be perfect
Our society fuels this unrealistic expectation upon us to be perfect. Yet, even though I know it is unrealistic, it still gets the best of me when I’m caught in the hustle and bustle of life.
The truth is, our imperfections help us develop compassion and empathy for ourselves. It’s what makes us unique and real. And in the process it is what enables us to work through the challenges to rise and become a better version of ourselves.
“I like flaws and feel more comfortable with people who have them. I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.” – Augusten Burroughs
4. Listen to your body
Our body is constantly communicating to us. Studies have shown it speaks to us in metaphors and is connected to your emotional psyche. When it is in pain, it’s trying to tell you something. However, we often ignore it. For example, if your shoulders are feeling tense it can mean that you may be carrying too much responsibility or is carrying some emotional burden and that is ‘weighing’ you down. So if you are experiencing discomfort in your body, stop and reflect on what’s going on in your life. Ask yourself what is my body trying to tell me? Perhaps it’s telling you to slow down and not shoulder so much responsibility in your life?
I had a personal experience where my skin would often develop a rash when I worked at one of my jobs. When I left the office at the end of the day the rash would disappear. When I took the time to ponder upon why I was developing a rash at work, I realized it was signifying how irritated and unhappy I was whenever I was at work. Needless to say, it was a sign from my body that I’m allergic to the work environment I was in and I needed to leave.
5. Be honest with your feelings.
Don’t judge your own feelings; instead, ride out the waves of emotions. They are generated based on your thoughts and reactions to life. It plays a healthy role in your body when we let it move through us.
In my BodyTalk studies, I learned that: Fear keeps us alive, Anger allows us to move, Joy harmonizes all things, Sadness gives us compassion, Worry allows us to stop and think, Grief allows us to let go.
Noticing your emotions gives you a snapshot of your life in the present moment. Pay attention to it, and use it to consciously evaluate what you need to do to move yourself forward to find emotional balance. It could be journaling about what’s upsetting you, choosing a better feeling-thought, calling up a trusted confidante, or making a date with your yoga mat. The key is awareness. And then understand what it is you want, and look within to see what you can do and what support you need to get your emotional health back on the happiness track.
6. Incorporate regular healthy practices in your life
Your body and mind work as one, so when one is off balance, it affects the other. To maintain your optimal well-being, it is important that your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts are aligned.
Thus, the key is to introduce daily practices that strengthen your mind and body. Some of the things I do include: getting at least 7 hours of sleep, drinking water, meditatation, yoga, keeping a gratitude journal, brightening someone’s day, and spending time with people who fuel my soul.
So next time when you are feeling off balance in life, instead of “powering through,” take the time to slow down and check in with yourself. Adjust what you need to do in your life to strive toward finding balance. In doing so, you’ll develop the qualities you need to support you in dealing with life’s challenges while being able to enjoy your life to the fullest.
Also by Theresa: 6 Benefits of Headstand That Will Inspire You
5 Inner Powers to Take Charge of Your Life
Get more like this–sign up for our newsletter for exclusive inspirational content!
__
Photo: https://unsplash.com/juliacaesar
