Creating A Balanced Lifestyle

• Use a planner or diary: Prioritize your tasks and chores to see what you actually need to get done on a daily or weekly basis.  Once these are in your diary or calendar you can then build around them the things you want to do, in order of their priority.  This could include exercising, a walk, meeting friends, a beauty appointment or a haircut.

• Remember the pitfalls of socialising – While many of us can’t wait to be meeting up with friends, hitting the pub gardens and enjoying the sunshine with a nice drink, remember that a night of drinking can often lead to a sore head the next day, low energy and reaching for less healthy food.  Don’t plan an intense workout the morning after your night out!  Enjoy your evening, embrace the hangover and a lazy day, then book your workout for the day after so you can get back on track.
• Think about creating fulfilling routines – These are things you do daily or weekly that add up to a better week for you.  This could be ensuring you go for a quick walk around the block before you start work or eating a meal at the table without distractions of phones or TV so you can connect and really chat with your partner or family.  Be sure to include things each week or ideally daily that make you and those around you feel good.
• Sleep better – Sleep and rest play a huge factor in your productivity each day, your body and your mental health.  Create a bedtime routine that allows you to wind down sufficiently from the day, avoid screens at least 30 minutes before bed, read a book or magazine or listen to calming music, include a bath or warm shower, create signals that your body recognises as ‘before bedtime’ actions.
• Learn to delegate, eliminate, combine, or make simpler – For any tasks you have that you didn’t deem totally necessary, think about how you can delegate them, combine them, eliminate them, or make them easier for yourself.  You shouldn’t spend time worrying about things that aren’t priorities in your life, and they shouldn’t take up time in your daily routine if they don’t need to.

And one final thought to leave you with, one that is perhaps easier said that done but an important reminder none the less…

When you’re at work, be at work. When you’re at home, be at home.

In order to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, it’s important to stay focused on what is in front of you.