Finding Balance

A sense of balance is an interesting and useful way to consider how to achieve good health and a positive, healthy mindset.

Balance inside yourself is a satisfying feeling and calm mindset that results from knowing that you have:

• Balance between your values, what is important to you, and how you spend your time
• Balance in the energy and effort directed towards others versus yourself.
• Your emotions in balance (less sadness/anger and feeling mostly okay or good),
• Your energy in balance (less fatigue and feeling mostly energised),
• Your confidence in balance (less doubt and misgivings and more positive regard for yourself/others)
• Your hope in balance (optimistic outlook versus pessimism and fear)

Balance outside yourself is a sense of confidence that you have the right combination of activities for yourself to manage daily life and your family.

• Balance in the time spent in ‘work’ (paid or unpaid) and rest
• Balance in the types of activities that you find difficult versus manageable
• Balance in your time spent caring for your children/family and time for yourself
• Balance in the time spent in active or sedentary leisure
• Balance in the time spent alone or with others
• Balance in your interactions with people you enjoy versus people you find more challenging.

Life demands that come from outside of yourself can make us feel imbalanced inside. For example, many responsibilities, too much time spent caring, too much time spent alone or being sedentary can cause a feeling of imbalance inside, dissatisfaction, discontent and frustration. Everyone’s sense of balance is personally felt. While one person needs more sleep, time alone, time being physically active and places a high value on being productive, another person will be opposite and both can feel equally balanced and satisfied. It’s up to you to find your own balance.