Overstimulation can lead to apathy and boredom. “When stimulation comes at us from every side, we reach a point where we cannot respond with much depth to anything. Bombarded with so much that is exciting and demands our attention, we tend to…shut down our attention to everything.”
The following principles lay the foundation for achieving balance while striving for personal, family, and professional success. They are essential and achievable whether you are a busy professional, harried housewife, or stressed student.
Pare down or you’ll wear down. When we are crazy busy and about to snap, the inevitable result is inefficiency, irritability, ill-health, and imbalance. “There are many good things to do; but sometimes doing “good things” can crowd out what is “best.” Focus on your most important priorities.
Rest: Chronic lack of sleep swamps your system with stress hormones; impairs blood sugar; inhibits learning; increases the risk for disease and depression; and saps mental and physical energy. Quality deep sleep is linked to longer life, improved energy, mood, mental function, and performance. It also lowers the risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and many stress-related disorders. Caffeine, high fat and sugar foods, alcohol, late-night eating, holding grudges, and lack of exercise all contribute to poor sleep quality. Slowing your evening pace signals your body and brain that it is time to tone down, rest, and revitalize for a new day.
Jesus encouraged his work-worn disciples, “Come apart…to a quiet spot, and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going and they could not get time even to eat.
At creation, God knew that we would need special time for rest, friendship, and time with Him, so He set aside a special day for that purpose. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…The seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD…In it you shall do no work…” Exodus 20: 8-10
God cares about your schedule—He wants you to rest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He invites you to enter into His rest.
We all have multiple roles and responsibilities, including work, spousal, parenting, personal, church, and community. Each role can be fulfilling and energizing when kept in balance. Will you take that step today that will build more balance, strength, confidence, and perseverance into your life tomorrow? A balanced life is shaped one day at a time—but not by chance—but by choice!
(Submitted by Betty Dean. Used by Permission from www.lifestylematters.com. Courtesy of LifeSpring – Resources for Hope and Healing, Stuart, VA.)
