I'm on holiday this week having a well-earned rest. This week is also balance awareness week, something I'm passionate about; I quit my job in the corporate world to find a better work-life balance!
Have you ever ended your holiday feeling like you need another holiday to recover?
I've learned that holidays don't need to be a time of overindulgence. You can find a balance and return home feeling recharged and refreshed!
Simple changes and simple choices can allow you to have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I find balance by going for a cycle each morning, walking/sightseeing in the afternoon, eating two nutritious meals a day, and enjoying guilt-free treats.
But how do we find the same balance in our everyday lives, and not just on holidays?
4 ways to balance your Mind, Body, and Soul
According to Sofia Smith at Gaiam.com, these days, it's extremely common for people to find themselves living stressful and hectic lives. We often find ourselves in a constant state of doing and trying to pack in our days to achieve so many things – trying to balance careers, families, side-hustles, social lives, workouts, and more leave us feeling drained.
Has balance become such a far fetched goal that for most people, it's no longer realistic? Maybe a good place to start is simply aiming to find holistic balance in your overall health and wellness – aka your mind, body, and soul. Here are four ways Sofia recommends to help you begin your balance journey.
1. Start with the food you eat.
Not everyone understands how big an effect the food we consume has on our bodies and minds. By fueling your body with healthy and nutrient-dense foods, you will ultimately feel more rested, energised and able to tackle your to-do list without feeling like you need to reach for that second (or third) cup of coffee.
The benefits don't just stop there. Eating foods full of vitamins and nutrients have an amazing effect on your skin, hair, nails and more. Who doesn't want stronger nails, shinier hair and clearer skin!? Remember these benefits next time you're tempted to order a takeaway.
2. Give yourself time to rest.
It's too easy to keep pushing on with daily tasks and responsibilities, even when your body and mind are screaming at you to take a break. When you find yourself heading towards the point of burnout, the first step is to take a minute, recognise your needs, and prioritise them.
Taking a break to spend time outdoors, going on a walk, getting a massage, or doing some yoga can do wonders for your mind and spirit. Too often, women view taking time for self-care as "selfish," which is anything but the truth. How can you have the energy to take care of others if you're not taking care of yourself? Here's your permission to spend an evening in the bathtub, filled with women's balance foaming bath, enjoying a glass of wine, eating ice cream, watching your favourite movie or simply practising a simple meditation. This brings us to our next suggestion …
3. Arrange a spa day in the comfort of your own home.
Maybe you're not able to visit the therapy room or a spa as often as you'd like due to your budget. No problem – because it is possible to create a spa-like atmosphere in your own home!
Start by lighting some candles. Candlelight has a calming effect and combined with soothing scents such as lavender, geranium or rose, can help you drop into a state of relaxation.
From there, apply a face mask, drop some essential oils and relaxing bath salts into your bath to help soothe sore muscles, and ta-da – you've brought the spa to you. Aside from playing some calming music, leave your devices in a space where you're not tempted to grab them and enjoy some screen-free time. Which leads us to our final point …
4. Disconnect from technology.
We are a society that has become entirely too dependent on our laptops and smartphones. Our busy lifestyles have created an underlying urge to be connected at all times, but constantly engaging with our handheld devices can negatively affect our overall health and wellbeing, which is why people, especially millennials, are tapping into the concept of mindfulness.
What does mindfulness look like? It can be as simple as going on a walk without your phone, focusing on one task at a time, and not constantly checking your phone while in social situations. Multitasking has been debunked as the way to get more done and be more productive – in reality, it leaves us giving a small percentage of our attention and effort to a multitude of things.
Allow this to serve as your wake up call to step away from the role of "multitasking extraordinaire" and become more present in your day-to-day activities. Not to mention, the constant scrolling on apps like Instagram does nothing for our self-esteem and makes us tap into comparison mode WAY more than we need to. If this is ringing a bell for you, time to disconnect for a bit in the name of self-love.
Taking care of ourselves is something that should always be on our to-do list, even if it means doing small things like leaving our phone at home or taking a bath. There are no wrong choices when it comes to what fills up your cup, so start to get in touch with your needs and re-prioritise accordingly. The goal is the balance between mind, body, and soul, but the fun part is the journey that gets us there.
Well-ness
(noun)
The harmony between mind, body and spirit.
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