Finding Balance in Your Busy World
Meet Frank. On a crowded business flight, as he lowered his breathless, oversized body into the narrow seat, wiping perspiration from his brow, he activated his smart phone with one hand while whisking his laptop out of its case with the other.
Not yielding a second to take in his surroundings, get comfortable, or relax, he hammered away on his laptop while making a rapid series of phone calls until the flight attendant forced a reprieve.
Frank was a successful marketing executive. But his health was in shambles: he was overweight, had high blood pressure, and suffered from insomnia. He had no close friends. His wife had left him. His life alternated from “bouncing-off-the-walls” busy to inert and apathetic. He lived alone, eating mounds of ice cream, snack foods, and soda pop as he decompressed in front of the television in an attempt to stave off soaring stress levels and nagging loneliness.
Frank’s story illustrates the saying: “We hurry; we worry; and we bury.” So many of us are hooked on busy but are barren when it comes to life’s most important priorities. We get a lot done, but because there is no balance, it’s doing us in—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Nix the mindset that you are too busy to take care of your health. The following are essential tools for managing multiple priorities and busy schedules; they are not optional for busy people.
Nutrition: Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol are stimulants that rob the nervous system of real energy. They lead to cravings, insomnia, and more fatigue. High-fiber fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes provide nutrients and antioxidants that build brain and immune health, energize the nervous system, and lower stress. Restaurants, airports, and grocery stores now provide more healthful, quick options such as whole grain breads and pastas, delicious mixed green salads and fruit plates, beans, fresh vegetables, trail mixes, and herbal teas. Keep a water bottle with you to remind you to drink water frequently; irritability and fatigue can mean you need water.
Exercise: Exercise reduces anxiety and fatigue and increases energy, both physical and mental. It improves mental focus, problem-solving, and mood. A ten-minute walk can boost your mood for an hour. When traveling, use your time waiting at the airport for walking. After that long meeting or weary day of travel you can unwind and renew your strength with a good walk or work out in the hotel exercise facility! At work, take the stairs. Use break time to take a spin around the block and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Drink water and eat fresh fruit instead of chugging soda and downing candy bars.
Take time for your mental and spiritual health. Zoning out in front of the TV or Internet for hours saps energy and increases fatigue and tension. Mentally refreshing diversions, though, are like mini vacations for the brain. These include relaxing hobbies, recreation, social time, learning new tasks, and volunteering. In addition, spiritual health is at the center of a balanced lifestyle. It is important to take time to submit our priorities to God; He wants us to trust Him to guide us safely through life’s busy challenges. Strengthen your spiritual life by connecting with God through prayer, reading the Bible, and reading an inspirational book.
Submitted by Betty Dean
(Used by Permission from www.lifestylematters.com. Courtesy of LifeSpring – Resources for Hope and Healing, Stuart, VA.)
