Between career, family and everyday life, it's important to find the right balance. Many people find themselves living an unhealthy lifestyle, working all the hours god gives and never having time to exercise. Friends and family end up being neglected, you feel exhausted and your wellness, both physically and mentally, falls to the wayside.
Then there's something that can spark a change in you. Maybe it was a bad bout of insomnia, the loss of a job or a loved one, or some other life changing event that makes you sit back and think... what I need most is to get fit and healthy again. I need to spend time with the people I love. I need to find the time to do the things I love. I need to find the right balance.
This isn't an unusual story in today's high-pressure, fast-paced world. More and more of us tip the scales in favour of chasing those career goals and try to do it all. In the process, we neglect our health and happiness. This is how you end up burnt out - not maintaining that equilibrium impacts you negatively.
Yoga can make you feel healthy, and has been known to cause an immense shift towards true balance in your life. When negotiating a tricky pose, the last thing you're thinking about is paying the gas bill or adding milk to the shopping list. It's the 'Me Time' everybody needs, closing off the incessant buzzing of your brain, taking the time to listen to your body and hear what it takes to nourish yourself instead of straining till you snap.
I have 5 tips for maintaining balance in your life, something that I'm relying on now more than ever with a young baby and a business to run. Balance is as important as ever for me right now, and you should also be taking the time to get the perfect balance.
1. Discover the imbalance. What would your perfect day look like? Write it down and see what it looks like now. What's missing in that day? Are you working too hard? Are you spending too little time with your friends and family? Whatever may be lacking in your life, the first step to regaining a balance is to recognise the problem areas.
2. Value your 'You Time'. Take a little bit of time every week when you do something that makes you truly happy, body and soul. Give yourself that time for self-love and self-care. It's so important. When we are giving all of our time to others, we forget to take the time out for ourselves.
3. Learn to say NO! There's always an obligation to say yes to everything, which often ends up in us doing exactly the opposite of what we want to be doing. Have the courage to say no, and make the choice to do what YOU want to do. If it's sitting at home watching TV rather than going out with your friends, do it! Saying no helps relationships, allowing for honesty and creating boundaries. You can finally be the person you want to be rather than the person you think you should be.
4. Watch out for those boundaries. Give yourself times when you can switch off, and stick to them doggedly. With our iPhones and social media we have become available at all times of the day. It's absolutely exhausting. Tell yourself after 6pm, the work emails are off limits. Switch your phone off at 9pm, or make Monday nights your date night, even if it's with yourself. Whatever it is that helps you disconnect from the world, make it an integral part of your weekly routine.
5. Have a rest. Plan something that you are really going to look forward to. A weekend away, a holiday or just an afternoon walk. Whatever it may be, knowing that you have something on your radar that will take you out of your daily routine and the stresses of life makes everything a lot easier.
Yoga can be a huge part of your journey when you want to find balance. In order to be successful you have to find the balance, and that's what yoga has helped me do. I've found the balance between wanting to be everything and do everything whilst still enjoying my life.
Don't let those moments pass you by trying to achieve the next big thing. Find the balance and you'll feel happier and healthier in no time. And if you want to try yoga? Why not email us at info@pipyoga.com and get in touch to setup a free class.