10 Ways to Create Balance in Your Life

Life is sometimes a juggling act. But how do you continue the juggling without dropping the ball? You must find the balance and rhythm in your life. If you don’t, everything will come crashing down.

Here are my top 10 ways to create balance in your life so you can live a fulfilling life full of joy and good health.

1. Breathe

I know I have expressed the importance of breathwork before, but breathing is a simple way to reduce stress and help you find balance. Yes, our bodies breathe on their own with little focus needed, but it can have profound effects when you take the time to focus on your breathing. 

One of the first things to change when you are anxious is your breathing. You will notice when you are relaxed, you’re breathing slowly through your nose, which allows your belly to rise. If you find yourself experiencing shallow breathing, it’s time to assess your stress.

Take time each day to find a quiet place for just a few minutes and try a breathing exercise.

2. Meditate

Meditation is a powerful tool to bring more balance to your life. It has a way of clearing away the overwhelming feelings and bringing a sense of peace and calm to you. Meditation is medicine for the mind that has been around for thousands of years. Allowing yourself a few minutes or longer a day to practice meditation will help improve symptoms of depression, enhance your self-awareness, improve sleep, reduce pain, and help with your memory.[1][2][3] There are sooo many other benefits to meditation and plenty of research to back it.

In addition to the abundance of information on the positive impacts of meditation, there are many helpful resources to find a meditation that works for you. You can do guided meditation, mantra meditation, or practice mindfulness. There are even apps to guide you on your meditation journey. You will find a rhythm of what works for you and ultimately reduce stress and create more balance in your life during the process.

3. Move and Exercise

You’ve heard me say it before. It’s time to get up and get moving! Easier said than done, right? Trust me, the more effort you put into moving and exercising daily, the healthier you will be. Physical activity can actually reduce stress and symptoms of depressions, increase your energy, improve your sleep and bring back a sense of empowerment to you. [4] Even if you find just 10 minutes a day to do some leg lifts while cooking, take a break from work to do squats, or enjoying a nightly walk, you will be doing your body a HUGE favor. As you get into this healthy pattern, you will find yourself wanting and enjoying your daily workouts.

4. Get 7-9 hrs sleep

Do you wake in the morning only to hit the snooze button several times before getting out of bed? If this is you, what time did you go to bed the night before? Although some people may feel they are not entirely rested after thinking they had a decent sleep, most of the time, you are groggy the next day when you went to bed too late. However, if you are not feeling rested even when getting adequate sleep, we should talk.

Sleep is an essential ingredient for finding balance in your life. This is when your body is doing the most healing, so it only makes sense to get more of it. Studies show that having just one night of sleep loss impairs your ability to think straight and impacts your decision-making. [5]

5 Gratitude Journal

When was the last time you took a few moments to be grateful? Your days are consumed with everything on your to-do list that often accumulates to more stress for many of you. Or maybe you spend time scrolling through social media wishing your life was more like those influencers you follow. Take time each day to express gratitude for everything you DO have in your life. Get in the habit of starting your day by writing down what you are grateful for in a journal. I promise you there will be a shift for the better in your life when you do this simple act. Studies show that practicing gratitude daily improves your mental health and creates more happiness.[6]

6. Be of Service to Others

You know that feeling you get when you help someone? That warm feeling that lights you up inside? When you serve others, you create a chemical reaction in your brain, producing more dopamine responsible for that “feel good” feeling. 

Studies prove that by volunteering and helping others, you will have a lower risk of hypertension. [7] Studies also indicate serving others can actually help you live longer![8]

7. Carve out some scheduled YOU time(10-15 mins min)

Don’t forget about YOU! It is so easy to cater to everyone else’s needs and neglect your own. You have to take time for yourself, so you don’t burn out. Spending time alone allows you to connect with yourself on a deeper level. Everyone needs to recharge every once in a while so they can come back inspired. Take the time to stretch, read a book, meditate or do nothing and enjoy the peacefulness of silence. Try to take at least 10 to 15 minutes a day for you. Make it a priority.

8. Breathe Essential Oils Daily

There are many health benefits to using essential oils daily. Some of my favorite oils that help you live a balanced life are (link oils). Different oils are used to treat various ailments. Some oils promote peace and calm. There are oils to enhance energy and oils to help soothe pain. Refer to my stress blog (link to other blog) for more information on the positive effects of using essential oils.

You can incorporate essential oils in your daily routine by using a diffuser, rollerball or simply breathing them in to help you calm your mind and find balance.

9. Say No

It’s okay to say no. Saying no is completely necessary for life balance. If it is not essential or doesn’t add something valuable to your life, say no. You do not have to feel obligated to go to every party, event, or do things you don’t want to do. It is YOUR LIFE, and you have the control. By doing so, you feel more balanced and will feel far less overwhelmed. Don’t let other people’s priorities dictate how you live your life and what you do with your time.

10. Avoid Toxic People

Avoid toxic people like the plague. These are the complainers, whiners, and people with poor attitudes. Their pessimistic outlook on things will only rub off on you and ultimately bring you down with them. If you can’t altogether avoid them, at least minimize contact and tune them out as much as you can. Surround yourself with positive, supportive, can-do people whenever possible