Finding balance

Most of us understand the idea of a balanced diet.  Plenty of fruit and vegetables, some protein, some carbohydrates, some (of the right) fat. We must drink plenty of water to keep ourselves hydrated. Then it’s ok to treat ourselves occasionally to something sweet, salty or a glass of wine or two.  All this works even better with regular exercise.  Not necessarily a marathon a week, but daily walks, swims or whatever we enjoy. We know that sitting at a desk all day is bad and so is driving everywhere.

Even if we don’t put it all into practise, all the time, most of us know we should.

And this is all good.  Having a balance is so important for our health. And the same goes for leading a balanced life.

So what would a balanced life look like?

It would be all about making choices that are good for us and those around us. Engaging in a wide range of activities that we enjoy and that are good for us.  From singing or dancing to sport or watching a film, we all have something that makes us feel happy and takes us out of our daily grind. Have a think – how often do you allow yourself to practise something you enjoy?

What else makes us happy? It is known that human contact makes us happy.  Seeing others, having a chat and a good laugh lifts our spirits and makes us feel good. Meeting a friend for a coffee, joining a group of people that have similar interests to you or inviting friends round for supper, it’s worth making the effort. Even when we’re busy, the benefits of spending time with others and enjoying their company is vital.

How about relaxation? Too many people I work with often forget about this. Working hard and lining up chores and activities in our spare time means that we never get time find any real down time. Simply sitting still and clearing some thoughts, anxieties, whatever fills our minds. It gives us a chance to find some perspective, to process thoughts. It makes such a difference. If mindfulness practice is a step too far, try the sitting still thing – even for 10 minutes.

Another thing to consider is getting a balance in terms of moods.  Much as we would like to be positive and happy all the time, if we truly want to achieve a balanced life, we need to accept that sometimes, we might feel less than positive.  And that’s ok.  To allow these moods to sit for a while is all part of the balance. It’s important not to get frustrated and allow the self critic to kick in. Remember it’s all part of the balance.

So next time you wonder whether you’ve had your five a day, ask yourself also if you’re managing to lead a balanced life.