MIND BODY LIFE BALANCE
By Marg Anderson
Finding a work-life balance is a very popular topic at the moment. Do you feel that the time spent on work outweighs the time you have for self, family, friends, relaxation or exercise? With so many balls to juggle life generally can become quite overwhelming and stressful. Usually the first thing to be thrown out of balance are our schedules, self-time or exercise time. It is easy to get stuck in a daily routine. While unhealthy or unhappy routines are not good for your mind body and soul, healthy and balanced routines are wonderful!!
What does life balance really mean?
What would a balanced life look like to you?
Most importantly, how do we go about achieving it in the midst of our crazy schedules?
The good news is that we can easily practice mindfulness, tune in to the pulse of our life, prioritise and take control.
Creating balance isn’t about cramming in as many things as you can in your everyday life. It is important to take time out and look at all aspects of your life and decide what areas are most valuable to you and where you feel their is an imbalance. What actions can you take to prioritise these valuable areas of your life? Create a list of actions you would like to implement. Be realistic and set yourself up for success! Work through them one by one- no action is too small- making small, achievable changes in all aspects of your life will mean you are more likely to commit to them.
Listed below are 5 simple ideas you can adopt to start you on the journey to health, well-being and to help bring your lifestyle into balance.
TURN IT OFF –
Turning off your devices for just a few hours each day has great benefits. Improved sleep, lower anxiety, better social connections and being more present in the current moment.
This is an easy way to help balance out time with your partner or family when you have strong work commitments. You can still work at home in the evenings/weekends if necessary but perhaps you can put aside a set time when you can focus all your attention on your loved ones. This way you are 100% present for the time you do have with them and the quality of the time is much higher.
Perhaps the whole family can try phone stacking for an hour so each night over dinnertime? (placing all your devices in a designated place for the agreed time frame.) Alternatively, on weekends, totally commit to watching the kids weekend sport without checking your phone.
This is an easy way to help balance out time with your partner or family when you have strong work commitments. You can still work at home in the evenings/weekends if necessary but perhaps you can put aside a set time when you can focus all your attention on your loved ones. This way you are 100% present for the time you do have with them and the quality of the time is much higher.
Perhaps the whole family can try phone stacking for an hour so each night over dinnertime? (placing all your devices in a designated place for the agreed time frame.) Alternatively, on weekends, totally commit to watching the kids weekend sport without checking your phone.
TRIM IT–
If your schedule is overflowing and trying to manage it all is exhausting you then its time to set some boundaries. SAY NO to everything that is either not essential or doesn’t add something valuable to your life. This is easier said than done but it’s time to be ruthless! Get yourself a calendar and REALISTICALLY schedule your time. Include basic non-negotiables like ‘lunch time’ and ‘travel time’ in between commitments. Then add in the extras and if it doesn’t fit, then it’s a NO. This way you can be present at the events you do attend, without distraction or constantly thinking about “what’s next” or rushing to a following commitment.
MINIMISE TOXINS –
Toxins can be anything that has an adverse effect on your life, mind , body and soul. It is time to shut out any negative influences.
The people who drag you down instead of lift you up- complainers, whiners, poor attitudes. Minimise your exposure to these people as much as you can. Surround yourself with positive, supportive, happy people instead!
Social media accounts that don’t add value to your life and make you feel bad about yourself. Unfollow!
Negative thoughts that creep in when you’re not looking. Practice gratitude. If you are a morning person- when you wake up think of 1 thing that you are grateful for. If you are a night person- before bed. You can just think it or you can say it out loud/ tell your partner/ write it down. Do this every day and it quickly becomes easier and easier. There is no wrong answer! When you begin, it may be things like 'sunshine' and 'the ocean' but you will quickly move onto to more specific and heartfelt ones.
Do at least one thing every day that makes you happy- if you think you will forget schedule it into your calendar or set yourself a reminder on your phone.
The people who drag you down instead of lift you up- complainers, whiners, poor attitudes. Minimise your exposure to these people as much as you can. Surround yourself with positive, supportive, happy people instead!
Social media accounts that don’t add value to your life and make you feel bad about yourself. Unfollow!
Negative thoughts that creep in when you’re not looking. Practice gratitude. If you are a morning person- when you wake up think of 1 thing that you are grateful for. If you are a night person- before bed. You can just think it or you can say it out loud/ tell your partner/ write it down. Do this every day and it quickly becomes easier and easier. There is no wrong answer! When you begin, it may be things like 'sunshine' and 'the ocean' but you will quickly move onto to more specific and heartfelt ones.
Do at least one thing every day that makes you happy- if you think you will forget schedule it into your calendar or set yourself a reminder on your phone.
EMBRACE HEALTH AND WELLNESS –
Your health is bound to affect the other aspects of your life. It’s important to invest in your physical and mental wellbeing, for yourself and your family. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and work out regularly. Regular exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. With so many gyms, studios, on line classes and open-air facilities around these days it’s easy to find an activity you may like.
Exercise and its ability to reduce stress has been long known, however new research shows how physical activity impacts our work-life balance. Commitment to fitness was shown to increase feelings of competence, which extended to the workplace and home life. Regular exercise was also seen to be effective at empowering people to deal with life issues, resulting in less stress, greater productivity and overall a more happy, more balanced lifestyle.
Signing up for a class isn’t always necessary. Just start by making a commitment to yourself that you will do some sort of regular activity each day.
If you’re new to exercise or don’t enjoy it use my 5-minute rule. Commit to just 5mins. Usually the first 5mins is the hardest. Once the endorphins start to kick in you usually find you already feel better already and that 5min can be increased easily!
You can simply make time during your day for some incidental fitness like a quick walk at lunch time or make an effort to take the stairs regularly or walk + talk to another co-worker rather than email them. By simply adding these small changes each day you will become more productive, less stressed, feel happier, have less aches and pains and sleep better!
Or if you feel you need more support to make the change, you can always seek the services of a qualified lifestyle wellness coach or fitness professional.
Exercise and its ability to reduce stress has been long known, however new research shows how physical activity impacts our work-life balance. Commitment to fitness was shown to increase feelings of competence, which extended to the workplace and home life. Regular exercise was also seen to be effective at empowering people to deal with life issues, resulting in less stress, greater productivity and overall a more happy, more balanced lifestyle.
Signing up for a class isn’t always necessary. Just start by making a commitment to yourself that you will do some sort of regular activity each day.
If you’re new to exercise or don’t enjoy it use my 5-minute rule. Commit to just 5mins. Usually the first 5mins is the hardest. Once the endorphins start to kick in you usually find you already feel better already and that 5min can be increased easily!
You can simply make time during your day for some incidental fitness like a quick walk at lunch time or make an effort to take the stairs regularly or walk + talk to another co-worker rather than email them. By simply adding these small changes each day you will become more productive, less stressed, feel happier, have less aches and pains and sleep better!
Or if you feel you need more support to make the change, you can always seek the services of a qualified lifestyle wellness coach or fitness professional.
TREAT YOURSELF-
Every now and again take time out for yourself…that’s right some YOU time. Remember the calendar we talked about earlier? Schedule in some “you time”. Weather it is once a week or once a month, be consistent. Block the time out and book yourself into whatever you feel like you need.
Get a pedicure or a facial, watch your favourite sport, schedule a massage or take some time in the countryside or a long walk along the beach.
It doesn’t need to be costly even a small treat like a glass of wine, your favourite coffee or tea, a delightfully scented candle, or time alone to read your favourite book / magazine can start to improve your health which improves all aspects of life.
You may even want to treat yourself to one of Marg’s specialty Life In Balance VINO VINYASA classes!!The next one is coming up May 30th.
Get a pedicure or a facial, watch your favourite sport, schedule a massage or take some time in the countryside or a long walk along the beach.
It doesn’t need to be costly even a small treat like a glass of wine, your favourite coffee or tea, a delightfully scented candle, or time alone to read your favourite book / magazine can start to improve your health which improves all aspects of life.
You may even want to treat yourself to one of Marg’s specialty Life In Balance VINO VINYASA classes!!The next one is coming up May 30th.
REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN-
Remember to laugh, joke, play, find your sense of humour. Be kind to yourself- when you're happy everything seems like it’s finally IN BALALNCE.
Marg works as a Cert IV Personal Trainer / Yoga Instructor and Certified Lifestyle / Wellness Coach with over 30yrs industry experience and is a WA and National Fitness Industry award winner. Marg works towards helping people establish, prioritise and implement change into their everyday lives to help them come back to a more balanced place. Head over to Regenerate Personal Training, the Ultimate Fusion of Fitness and Wellbeing, to learn more or contact Marg for more information about living a more balanced life!
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