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Maintaining the perfect balance in life can be tricky when the busyness sets in and schedules are filled to the max. Here are 9 simple ways to find more balance & flow in life when you feel like you’re about to fall off the balance beam of life!
I’m never sure how to feel about the word “balance”. Can we ever really find balance in our lives? I think we can to some extent, but I think it’s more about “flow”. We are always going to be striving for balance, but every day is going to throw a new curve ball our way. If we can find some simple ways to add more “flow” to our lives, then staying on that balance beam of life, even if we get shoved to the side, we’ll be able to steady ourselves again and not fall off.
I’ve been trying to find some simple ways to keep the balance and flow in my life. With 6 classes this semester in college, an internship, as well as this blog (my small business), it can be a bit tricky. Not only that, but to balance all those things, what really matters is keeping myself healthy, happy, and mentally prepared each day. Sometimes, by the end of the day, I can feel like I’m about to go crazy and my stress levels are through the roof. But then I remember and practice these 7 simple ways to find balance and flow in life which helps to recenter me and keep me on firm footing!
1: Step Away From The Technology – I can’t tell you how much better I feel when I stop and step away from my laptop or phone. All of my responsibilities are online, my school work, internship, and blog. It’s so important for me to remember that my mind, eyes, and soul need a break from the virtual. If I spend the entire day consumed by tech, I know I won’t be able to sleep well that night and my anxiety levels end up being through the roof.
2: Maintain A Consistent Sleep Schedule – I don’t mean just Monday through Friday, I mean all 7 days of the week, 365 days a year. I have been savoring every minute of sleep I get each night. I have never valued it more than I do this year! I’m exhausted by the end of the day and just want to get under the covers and drift away so I’m reenergized for the next hectic day. For me, I go to bed around 8pm and wake up at 4am every.single.day. That’s what works for me and that’s the amount of sleep I need. No shame! Keeping it consistent will change yourself for the better, trust me! Your body needs that predictability!
3: Read A Physical Book – No matter what, I always have a physical book I’m reading. It may take me weeks to get through, but I always know it’s there to pick up and simply read real words for a little bit. Everyone should have a fictional story to escape into. It’s nice to turn out the real world when things are hectic and just take a break in the pages of a book!
4: Go Somewhere New – The perk of living within a massive university is that there is no lack of new places to explore. When I feel like I can’t concentrate on the work I need to do or simply need a change of scenery, I scope out a new place to settle in. It can be a corner nook in a student lounge or in the student centers, a new coffee shop, or even an empty hallway in some building. If you’re finding yourself craving something new to look out, go out and find a new spot!
5: Have Someone To Talk To – When I feel like I’m about to fall off the balance beam and don’t think my anxiety and stress levels could get any higher, I know I need to talk it out. My mom is my “someone to talk to”. After a crazy day with a bunch of new difficulties thrown out me, I need to just call my mom and vent it all out. No holding back. I usually wake up the next day feeling so much better now that I’ve had someone to listen to my stresses and rationalize with. You can find a friend, spouse, parent, maybe even a pet! Talking out all the unbalanced areas in your life at the moment does wonders for bringing back the flow!
6: Remind Yourself Of The Bigger Picture – When everything seems like it’s a crazy mess, remember that things really do even out. You will lose you flow from time to time and you may actually totally tip the balance, but life was meant to do that. It teaches us lessons, shows us how to work through struggles, and lets us try again. We can pick ourselves up and hop back on the beam with new skills. Life is all about practice and the bigger goals we want to achieve in life are always there waiting for us. Just take it easy, breathe, and remember that a few wobbly moves are going to happen. What matter is that we rebalance and focus on the flow!
7: Take A Day For Yourself – This whole post is about finding balance and flow in a hectic schedule, but trust me. Try to devote one day every week to yourself. I’m not even saying you have to “do nothing”. You can be productive and get some work done or you could cuddle up with that physical book. Whatever you choose to do, it can change from week to week, do it alone. Learn to be with yourself and your own thoughts. When you become friends with yourself, when you get to know your inner workings, it’s so much easier to maintain balance and flow when you step back into such a stimulating word.
8: Channel An Inner Passion Every Day – So important! Find something that lights your fire. Find something that makes you actually FEEL the flow. If you want flow in other areas of your life, you need to know what that feels like and have the time to balance the unbalanced with that flow. For me, it’s cooking (I feel simply blissful and lose myself), or working out. Both those things happen every day for me in some form or another. Find your passions. Find the things you just love to do, that let you be creative and express, and that leave you feeling good! Do those things every day even if just for 15 minutes!
9: Balance Starts On The Inside – It goes without saying that maintaining a healthy diet is essential if you want to stay in tip top shape for your daily life. A well-rounded diet of veggies, fruits, whole grains, starches, lean protein, healthy fats, fermented foods, and tons of hydrating liquids. Another way to keep the balance inside is with a high-quality probiotic supplement like Florastor® Daily Probiotics, which strengthens your digestive balance and supports a healthy immune system. Florastor is the only probiotic brand with Saccharomyces boulardii lyo CNCM I-745 which helps restore your natural flora. Keeping that microbiome healthy and happy will leave you with the energy, immunity, and strength to keep going even when the rest of your life may be a little off kilter!
So tell me:
+ How do you stay balanced and in the flow?
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovin’: Strength and Sunshine Google+: Rebecca PytellI was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Danielle McCoy says
Love this, these are all fantastic ideas! Finding your passion and spending time with yourself especially resonate with me. If I don’t get to unleash my inner passions on the daily and spend even a few quiet moments alone (which is difficult with two kids) I don’t make it through my day very well. I usually go to bed early and wake up early just for that alone time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! That’s what I do! My mornings are my sacred time!
Lindsay - And Other Idiots says
Great advice. It’s all so simple when you remember what the bigger picture is all about, it’s just remembering to take a step back once in a while and do the stuff you KNOW will make you feel good! Couldn’t agree more about reading an actual book – instant other-worldliness instead of more guilt-laden screen time.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes!! We just have to constantly remind ourselves to be conscious of these things!
Deborah Davis says
I am so busy with caring for a sick father as well as myself, my work and my family that focusing on balance sometimes takes a back seat–however I do know how important it is to try to live a healthy, wholesome, balanced life. It’s not an option, it’s a necessity. Thank you for sharing your tips with us. I appreciate them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Wishing you love and flow!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
This is perfect, we are all so busy, it never stops, so we have to make sure we have good flow. Life throws curve balls, and although I hate having my schedule interrupted I am learning to deal with these much better. I make myself focus on breathing, it helps to calm my anxiety and get through the hard parts.
Learning to spend time with yourself is so important, today everything is available immediately through technology, it’s so hard to put it down and just “be”. These are perfect suggestions. Pinning to come back to again and again.
Good luck with your schedule, I know it’s brutal and you inspire me!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes, thanks, Nikki!
Cindy Magee says
I love the idea of having physical words on a page to read. I don’t make time for books but do love my magazine subscriptions!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That can work too! As long as it’s “offline”!
Lucy says
These are great tips. Especially the technology one. That can be hard when we work on computers and then have hobbies that also involve computers. It’s hard to switch off sometimes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes!! All I do in online 🙁 I don’t like it!
Alison (MadHouseMum) says
Really good tips. I agree with all of them, especially a real book! I find I only read on holiday, but need to try to find time to read every day. Alison x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m trying to make that one a priority in my life!
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
I feel obligated to work on the computer all the time. I definitely feel better when I take a step back from it. And I’d love to spend more time with the book I’m reading.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know! It’s hard since so much requires technology! My job, school, ugh! But it feels so good to step OFF!
Becki Svare says
Great tips! I especially like the one to remind myself of the bigger picture! That is always helpful and calming!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It sure can be!
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
These are all great tips! I definitely need to step away from the technology more!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think we all could benefit from doing so!
Patty says
You shared some really good ideas here! I definintely agree that reading is a great activity for us to engage in daily. Thanks for your thoughts!
God bless,
Patty
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Very important!
Barrie Bismark says
Really good points. I have my phone with me in my room…probably shouldn’t do that. I also don’t take enough time for myself. Thanks for sharing this post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is very hard!
Beverly says
Great tips. I never have my phone by my bed, and during the day I often have no idea where my phone is. I read an actual book every night. I love reading and close all electronics by 9 to unwind before going to bed.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! When I use my phone before bed I get so overly stimulated and my eyes can’t rest!
Sara says
Getting lost in a fiction book is one of my life’s greatest pleasures. For many years I read nothing but non-fiction. All that information drains you. Escape is a good thing when done in moderation.
I kind of like your word “flow” as it relates to balancing our life. Knowing how to react to the everyday stressors of life is just as important as enjoying each moment you are blessed with.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Non-fiction can be great and I do love it, but fiction is essential! I love losing myself in a story and not having to “think”.
Yes!! Thank you Sara xoxo
Marla says
Hi Rebecca,
This are wonderful ways and tips to find balance and flow in your life. Each and every one of them are important and I especially like #9 Balance Starts from the inside.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Thank you, Marla!
Lauren says
This is such a great reminder! For me, the sleep schedule is super critical.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That is a must! I need my consistent sleep!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
i agree with all of these tips..and even though these are simple tips, we often take things for granted – for example reading a physical book. it makes a huge difference in my life when im reading something/going to bed on time/venting vs when im trying to 1000 things all at once. sending you good vibes my friend 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yes, exactly! Thanks, Dixya!
Cricket Plunkett says
These are great tips, I agree with the stepping away from technology. I stopped sleeping with my phone next to me and I sleep so much better now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s a big one!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Stepping away from technology is HUGE for me! I really need to do it more often – so re-setting and re-charging for the soul!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! It’s hard, but feels so good!
Ricki says
I love all the tips you provide, Rebecca–especially about sleep (I’m guilty) and reading a PHYSICAL book. We need more of those! I’ve recently started doing regular saunas, initially for detox, but I love it so much that I find it’s now an integral part of my unwinding each day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Mmmm that must feel good (especially in the winter!)
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
So many awesome tips in this post, Rebecca! I especially loved the tip about remembering the big picture. It can be so easy to focus in on one little thing and then get overwhelmed by that thing. I totally have to remind myself to focus on the big pic and just breathe. Such a great post! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s one of those things that’s so simple, but we all DO need that reminder! xoxo
Lisa notes says
I agree, flow is a better way to define things than balance (although I’m guilty of often defaulting to “balance”). You offer important tips here. Looking at my nightstand right now…I have too many physical books at the moment! ha. I read mainly non-fiction, but I find of late that having a novel going at all times is important also. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Totally! Thanks, Lisa!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Great post! It’s so important to stay mindful throughout the day. When I start to stress out I try and look at the bigger picture and that usually puts the little things that bother me into perspective.
YES on reading a physical book!!! Our eyes need a break from computer screens, and so do our brains.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I seriously feel just so good after holding and reading a few chapters!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life says
I completely agree it’s about finding a flow, not balance. These are great tips! Seeing the “bigger picture,” is something I strive to do daily…although it takes some extra work.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s the beauty of flow! MOVEMENT! We are always learning and growing and adjusting!