photo by Sebastian Voortman via Pexels

by mikkie mills, guest contributor

When a person finds the satisfying middle ground between the things they must do and the ones they want to do, that's called balance. As simple as that sounds, most people are still overworked, overstressed, and completely unsatisfied. Being out of balance can leave you feeling like you're not getting ahead and even causes a nagging sensation that everything is off kilter. If you'd like to feel like you're more in control of your life, here are three ways to achieve balance and regain your sanity.

1. Know When To Take a Break

As admirable as it is to work hard for your goals, you won't achieve proper balance in life unless you know when to take a break. Signs that you might not be getting enough rest include aches and pains, irritability and thinking you've got to be doing something productive every minute.

In order to completely relax, you must learn to rest your mind as well as your body. Disconnect from work, or even life in general, by reading, traveling or transforming your home into a mecca of leisure by contacting affordable pool builders near me. Installing a swimming pool is a fantastic way to have a source of relaxation at your disposal any time you like.

Another way to stabilize your mind is to unplug yourself from the demands of social media. Step away from your computer and phone, and stop worrying about unanswered emails and texts. Put your phone on silent and check messages on your own schedule. By knowing when you need to take some well-deserved time to yourself, you'll find the quality of your work improves because you've created equilibrium. 

2. Pare Down the Excess

You can also gain more balance in your life by paring down the excess clutter that's getting in your way. The more "stuff" you accumulate, the more things you're inevitably responsible for. This takes valuable time away from the truly important things in your life, keeping you on uneven ground.

Minimizing doesn't mean you have to get rid of the things that are bogging you down all at once. Concentrate on one room at a time, and decide which items no longer give you pleasure. You can donate them, have a yard sale, or discard things that are broken. The same goes for old paperwork. Set aside the documents you absolutely need to hold on to and shred the rest.

Material possessions aren't the only things you should pare down. If you're struggling to stay on top of emails, hold an unsubscribe party and free yourself of all that electronic clutter. Likewise, if you have toxic people in your life that are holding you back from happiness, let them go, too! Concentrate on relationships with people that encourage you and make your heart sing.

3. Slow Down and Listen to Your Body

It's impossible to stay balanced when you're not feeling well. This is why it's important to eat a nutritious diet and make time for exercise. It's also crucial to slow down and listen to your body and the hints it's giving you about your health.

For example, if you can barely make it through dinner without zonking out, your body is desperately telling you it needs more sleep. Or, perhaps the opposite is true and you can't fall asleep at all. Maybe you've been experiencing aches or pains lately that you assume will just disappear by themselves. Or, you just feel off and can't put your finger on it. Don't ignore the signs that your body is sending you. Talk to your doctor and find out what's going on. Once you're feeling better, everything else will fall back into place.

Achieving balance in your life is essential for succeeding at work, forming positive relationships, and for your own happiness. By minimizing your responsibilities, tuning in to your health, and knowing when to rest, you'll regain your sanity and feel in control once again.

related articles: