Getting the balance right
Below are some tips on how you might achieve a good balance in some of the most common areas of life.
Overall balance
- Make balance a priority and commit to it
- Take time to reflect on your life and needs
- Note where your energy is going (actual balance) and decide on how you want your life to be (ideal balance)
- Make plans and set reasonable goals
- Identify and remove obstacles
- Start small by adding fun activities back into your day or week
- Reward yourself for reaching your goals
- Stay focused and find something to motivate you
- Note important dates and set reminders to help you stay on top of everything
Work balance
- Know your role and responsibilities and have realistic expectations
- Accept your limits – time, energy and skills
- Take proper breaks
- Manage your workload – prioritise, ask for help with tasks or delegate
- Slow down – your inbox will never be empty
- Talk to your colleagues – shared problem solving generates a range of solutions and builds support
- Seek good advice and other perspectives when facing difficult challenges
- Learn to say ‘no’ to things that are not essential
- Have a sense of humour – sometimes the best way to cope is to laugh about it
- Leave room to be creative and fun at work
- Think ahead and set achievable goals
- Maintain your interest and stay fresh by looking for new things to learn and new opportunities
- Focus on the positive aspects of your work
- Accept what you can’t change and take positive steps to change what you can
Personal life balance
- Spend time with your family and friends
- Get involved in social activities regularly
- Build a support network and reduce isolation
- Make more time for leisure and fun
- Learn how to rest and relax effectively
- Focus on the positive aspects of your personal life
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and that your sleep is restful
- Reduce the speed and intensity of your life – don’t book every minute of your time
Spiritual balance
If spirituality or faith is a part of your life, then balance in that area is also important for your wellbeing. The following tips are general and cover a wide range of beliefs and traditions.
- Take time to pray or meditate
- Spend time in nature and peaceful settings
- Make space for silence and quiet reflection
- In everything you do, find something to be thankful for
- Remember to take time to slow down and reflect on the ‘bigger picture’ of your life
- Your spirituality is something you need to work on, just like your balance and wellbeing
Psychological and emotional balance
- Remember it’s normal to experience a range of emotions at different times and learn to express them appropriately
- Get to know your personal signs of stress
- Learn some techniques to manage stress and relax. You could try a relaxing bath, massage, reading, music or hobbies
- Control negative thinking and worry. Stay calm, review the situation and ask yourself, ‘What would I say to a friend in this situation?’
- Take one thing at a time
- Work out the best positive approach and be assertive when needed
- Be reasonable and take good advice
- Check if your attitude is helping or hindering things
- Work on being positive - reading positive literature, sharing something positive, watching uplifting movies
Physical balance
- Exercise regularly and be more active in general. Try walking and using public transport instead of driving
- Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet – the right foods in the right amounts
- Reduce or stop your intake of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or drugs
- It might be worthwhile talking to your GP or even a dietician or exercise physiologist
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