Trying to navigate the madness of daily life today seems to be increasingly difficult. It’s near impossible to find a way to effectively manage work, family and friends, personal obligations and responsibilities, pay bills, and still find time to take care of our own needs. Given the lack of time and never-ending to-do list, the concept of reaching some kind of balance in our lives seems like a lofty ideal. The reality, however, is that not only is balance beneficial to our life, it is a required prerequisite to achieving health and happiness in life.
 
The Cost of Imbalance
 
Our body is a master of maintaining balance on the inside. The process of sustaining balance on a physiological level is called homeostasis. Through electrical impulses received from the brain via the nervous system, every cell, all of our tissues, and organs, carry out activities geared towards holding a state of harmony within. Primarily, the goal is to support near constant healing, tissue repair, renewal and regeneration. In theory, this state is only interrupted briefly to address a moment of stress or challenge that requires attention. Unfortunately, this delicate balance within has been almost reversed in our day to day lives, where our body is constantly dealing with stressful situations and only for short periods being allowed to rest, and ultimately, to heal. The result of this lifestyle moves us into a greater state of “dis-ease,” not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. This manifests in our lives as chronic physical health challenges accompanied by a constant state of overwhelm, anxiety, and worry.
 
Finding Balance
 
We receive many blessings as a result of our life experiences. One key lesson is the ability to recognize what is of greatest value in our lives.

• Begin by noting what is important to you and be sure to include spirituality, mental and physical development, family, career, and whatever else you feel is necessary for you to feel fulfillment.

• Once that is determined comes the hard part, treating each area as equally important. You may need to put everything on your calendar each day, including things such as quality time with your children. Be sure to pencil in time for exercise, prayer, meditation or anything else you feel is essential to your health and wellbeing.

Whatever is of greatest value must find its way into your life and made a priority, otherwise, it will not get done. I firmly believe that if you do not take time to plan your life, someone else will plan it for you. And rest assured that your highest values will not be included in their plans.
 
By creating balance in your life, you will begin to recharge your battery. Not only will you have be a greater sense of health and wellbeing, but you will be more effective in each area, leading to more success and fulfillment in each aspect of your life.

Photo Credit: T. Man

Dr. Jonah Yakel