On June 30, 1859, French acrobat Jean François Gravelet, who later became known as Charles Blondin, crossed the Niagara Falls on a tightrope while carrying a 26-foot long balancing pole weighing nearly 50 pounds. You might say this was the ultimate balancing act, requiring great skill, prowess, and agility (along with a liberal dose of foolhardiness!).

 

As we maneuver through our daily lives, trying to keep up with the demands of life, it can feel a bit like walking a tightrope. If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Finding a healthy work-life balance is perhaps more of a challenge now than it’s ever been.   In a survey, 26% of workers said they complete work outside of working hours, meaning work is done during personal time.¹ Another survey found that 70% of those surveyed did not have a healthy work-life balance.² Longer than normal working hours may increase risk of heart disease or stroke³ and can also take a toll on mental health.⁴ Inappropriate work-life balance can increase stress and have a negative effect on health, family, relationships, and even spirituality. 

 

Photo via Unsplash

 

Achieving a healthy work-life balance is just one of the many and varied facets of balanced living. Our relationships (including family and friends), finances, health needs, church and civic activities, leisure time pursuits and many other important areas of life all demand our attention—and trying to keep it all balanced can be a major feat. But there’s good news. While there’s no guarantee that you won’t at times feel overwhelmed with all of life’s demands, you can learn healthy ways of coping and achieve a balanced life. Here are just a few tips to get you started:

 

Prioritize. The process of deciding what’s essential and what isn’t is key to achieving balance. Take some time to analyze your life and evaluate what’s most important to you. That’s what you need to focus on. Everything else has to go.

 

Learn to say no. It’s amazing how difficult it can be to articulate a little two-letter word. Some of us have naturally pleasing personalities. We want to help others and meet every need that comes to our attention—and we feel guilty when we don’t.  But the reality is, we all have limitations. Remember, we can be most responsive and helpful to others when our own lives are in balance. Acknowledge that there are times when you must say no and act accordingly. 

 

Get adequate rest. Proper rest is  one of the most important facets of  balanced living. Sleep deprivation can increase risk of chronic diseases,⁵ makes us moody and irritable as well as more prone to car accidents.⁶ Not getting adequate sleep can even increase risk of falls in certain vulnerable populations.⁷ Among other things, lack of adequate rest affects our thinking skills and can lead to making poor decisions that throw us even further out of kilter. 

 

Recharge your “batteries.” No matter how busy you are, it’s important to make time for recreational activities.Take time to recharge by getting out in nature or by spending time with a hobby or leisure activity. When we have a lot to do, we often feel we don’t have time for recreation or rest, but in reality, having some downtime can make us more productive. When we’re refreshed and well-rested, we can think and work better. 

 

Connect with God. More than anything, spending time in Bible study and prayer, especially in the early morning, supplies the peace, calm, and balance that we desperately need in our busy lives. Try it and see for yourself! 

  

 

Importance of Routine

 

A balanced routine can help you develop and maintain healthy habits.  Habits for optimal health include eating right, getting enough exercise, drinking adequate water, maintaining a healthy spiritual life, and expressing gratitude, among other things. Knowing what to do is important, but knowing how to do it, and fitting everything into the day can sometimes be a challenge.

 

Some of us might not realize the importance of having a schedule or daily routine. Dedicating time each day to properly care for your health will have long-term benefits. Creating and sticking to a routine can help you manage your stress,⁸ feel more stable,⁹ and have better overall health.¹⁰ Eating at specific times can help you have more energy, sleep better,¹¹ and may even help manage stress and inflammation as well as offering general health benefits.¹² Our bodies thrive when we adhere to a regular schedule, and eating at specific times will protect your digestive system from unnecessary stress brought on by irregular eating.¹³ 

 

 

Schedule for a Healthy Lifestyle 

 

 

The following suggestions can help you create a balanced schedule for your day.

 

1

Rise early and drink ½ to 1 liter of water. You can add lemon juice to flush your liver and kidneys if desired. One liter will serve as a flush of your system in the morning.

 

2

Spend time seeking God through prayer and Bible study.

 

3

Plan your day. Try to dedicate some of your time and energy to serving others.

 

4

Do 15 minutes to an hour of exercise. Morning exercise is best, but if your schedule doesn’t permit, try to fit it in during your lunch break or after work.

 

5

Take a shower.

 

6

Eat a good breakfast, including whole grains, nuts or beans, and fruit.

 

7

During the morning, avoid snacking and drink at least 1 more liter of water. (Find out how much water you need to drink per day according to your weight).

 

8

Eat a moderate lunch, followed by a stroll outside if possible. Breathe the fresh air deeply.

 

9

During the afternoon, drink at least 1 more liter of water. Remember, no snacking.

 

10

Eat a light evening meal or skip supper altogether and take a walk instead.

 

11

Change your pace in the afternoon and evening; do something physical if your daytime work is mental, or vice versa. Schedule some family time. Drink at least one glass of water or more according to your body’s needs before bed.

 

12

Go to bed at the same time each evening at least two hours before midnight. One hour's rest before midnight is worth two hours of rest after midnight and your body needs the time to repair and cleanse.

 

13

Before you go to sleep, reflect on or make a list of things that you’re thankful for.

 

14

Thank God for His blessings and protection before you retire each night.