Balance in life is a task many are trying to figure out. However, the question, how to create balance in your life, has no one answer. Something different works for everyone. Before discussing various ways to find balance, let’s dive into its definition.
What is Balance?
Balance is defined as a state of equilibrium or equipoise. However, it plays a different role in each individual’s life. While some may struggle with balancing work and family, others may struggle with balancing their physical health and finances. For this reason, balance looks different for everyone. The underlying goal for each of these scenarios is to achieve balance of the mind, body, and emotions.
Those who struggle with balance in their life typically try to juggle many different commitments. It is important to remember that you cannot do everything, and if you try, you will most likely not be able to do everything well. It is important to recognize the signs of imbalance and ways you can learn to prioritize and bring balance into your own life.
Signs of Imbalance
1. Physical health issues
There can be physical health issues that come with imbalance. If you are tired all the time, you may have overcommitted yourself. You need to make sure you are getting enough sleep every night, as that can reduce stress and promote clearer thinking. Additionally, if you do not have time for self care, it is a sign that there is imbalance in your life. It is important to set aside time to take care of yourself, whether that be through cooking healthy meals, creating a skincare routine, or reading for a few minutes every night.
2. Mental health challenges
If you find yourself feeling more irritable with a shorter temper, you may have an imbalance within your life. Feeling “grumpy”—especially around friends and family—can be a sign that you are not spending enough time on yourself. Along with this, if you are having trouble focusing on your work, it is a sign that you are overwhelming your brain with too many commitments.
3. Strained Relationships
If you are seeing your laptop screen much more than your loved ones, there is a sign of imbalance in your life. Social relationships can greatly impact health, so making time for friends and family is important for creating a sense of balance.
4. Work-related stress
Have you been feeling overwhelmed at work? You’re not alone: 77% of Americans who work full-time have experienced burnout at their jobs. Work can be an important part of life for many people, but it should not become all-consuming. For that reason, if you are having work-related stress, such as feelings of overwhelm, irritation, and other negative emotions, you may have imbalance in your life.
Now that we know some symptoms of imbalance, let’s understand various methods to create balance in our everyday lives.
Setting Priorities
One way to stimulate balance is by setting priorities. When one has priorities clearly defined, they can easily decide how much time and effort to dedicate to each task asked of them. Your priorities can be in various areas—health, finance, career, family. You can also make “sub-priorities” within each of these categories. It is up to you to decide what is prioritized and when they are prioritized based on your personal values and goals. Once you have these priorities defined, do not be afraid to set boundaries. This may mean saying no to helping a coworker or putting off chores at home for a day. Whatever the demand is, prioritize your well being first.
Time Management and Organization
Another way to create balance within your life is to learn effective time management and organization. There are many different ways to manage your time, so experiment with different methods and find one that works for you. Try creating a day-to-day schedule in order to complete prioritized tasks on a daily basis. Also, remember to set boundaries with other commitments and people. Lastly, if possible, delegate tasks to those around you to lessen your own workload.
It is equally important to keep your surroundings organized—whether this be a physical or digital space. Clean up any clutter that you may have laying around your room. Buy some organization materials. Digitally, clean up any old documents and delete unused apps to organize your digital space.
To create a sense of balance it is also important to avoid procrastination. Create a system to prioritize deadlines and work on big projects ahead of time. Delaying tasks until the last minute will throw off your daily schedule, interrupting your sense of balance.
Self-Care and Well-Being
Prioritize your own health. Being healthy will give you the energy to be more productive and complete priorities throughout the day, creating that life balance. Self-care is a great way to prioritize health. This can include activities such as sleeping for 8 hours every night, prepping healthy meals, and getting exercise on a daily basis. Also take care of your mental well-being. Practice meditation, journal, and practice mindfulness. Take time to socialize with friends and family as well. The best way to stay healthy mentally and physically is to implement self-care practices into your daily schedule. Start by integrating one or two activities daily, then gradually increase the amount until it becomes routine.
Seek Support and Connection
Finding balance does not have to be a solo activity. Do not be afraid to ask friends and family for advice on how to better prioritize or what to prioritize. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with creating balance, you can seek professional help. Building a support network—whether that be loved ones or a professional—can be extremely essential in motivating you to keep balance in your life.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to create balance in your life, you will lead a happier and healthier life. Implementing these practices will take time, as you have to experiment and decide what works best for your lifestyle. Be patient and with time balance in your life will be achieved.
