It feels odd to use the word “balance” when talking about life. The picture that comes to mind is a balanced scale, or teeter-totter, but the reality is that life events, activities and responsibilities aren’t always going to be balanced evenly as a teeter-totter would be. The secret to creating life balance is to feel fulfilled in all areas of life. When you’re able to achieve this, you’ll feel emotionally and physically balanced and live life in a positive, passionate way.
The key to creating fulfillment in life is to follow some very simple rules:
1. Breathe
Breathing is free, portable and life-changing. Stop what you’re doing. Place both feet flat on the floor, relax your shoulders, close your eyes and place one hand on your belly while the other rests on your lap. Now use your nose to inhale, filling every area of your belly full of air. Pause at the top of the inhalation and then exhale through the mouth. Repeat often.
2. Be Present
When we take things one step at a time and focus on the task at hand we are more productive and less stressed overall. Break the multi-tasking cycle and begin accomplishing one “to-do” at a time. This provides us space to think clearly, be direct about our goals for the day and structure accordingly to achieve them.
3. Practice Positive Affirmation
Researchers believe we have 60,000+ thoughts a day and 80% of them are negative! We’re filling our brains with self-limiting beliefs when we allow negative thoughts and self-talk to exist in life. This is a sure-fire way to feel unfulfilled and out of balance in life.
Start replacing the negative chatter with a positive affirmation. When you hear the negative chatter, silently say “there’s no space in my life for this to exist” and replace the negative thoughts with a positive affirmation. An affirmation is an “I AM” statement such as “I AM CAPABLE” or “I AM CONFIDENT” or “I AM WORTHY” to support you in health and happiness. Use powerful words that speak to you and carry meaning in your life.
4. Release Control
There’s no need to fret about the decisions another person makes; nor the reaction a person may have to the choices you make in life.
You can only control the choices you make and the responses you have in this life.
Begin to release control of others’ decisions and responses by giving them permission to respond however they need to respond. This can be done silently, or communicated directly to the person in a caring, loving way. This will free you up to experience more fulfillment and joy in your own life.
5. Live a life of Gratitude
The practice of gratitude sheds new light, affirms the positive in your life and helps you celebrate all that is good. Take time every day to express gratitude for the big and small things in your life. Write down five to ten things you’re grateful for each morning upon waking, and again at night before going to sleep.
Photo courtesy of Emily Danica Sterngart.
Angela Gaffney, CHC, is a catalyst for healthy transformation. After overcoming a disease she was told would take her life, Angela teaches others simple strategies to achieve health and excel in their career. Angela is the best-selling author of Feel Good, Look Good, For Life. To hire Angela to speak at your next event, discuss a wellness program for your corporation, or take advantage of complimentary health tools, please visit www.AngelaGaffney.com.
