I grew up around unbalanced parents. My mom was a workaholic and my dad enjoyed sitting in front of the TV. I now know that in order to be happy you have to have some sort of balance in your life – which my parents didn’t have and haven’t managed to find.

I think that many people are stuck with a lack of balance in their life. There are many areas of life including working or taking action, learning, taking care of our health, spending time with loved ones, and just relaxing. When you focus too much on one area and forget about the rest it can negatively affect you by encouraging stress, anxiety, and health problems to come along.

For example, if you work too much you may not take any time to relax and enjoy life, and this can burn you out and cause you to become sick, frazzled, and even depressed. Relaxation and recuperating is important in life in order to be happy and feel balanced.

On the other hand, if you take too much time laying on the couch you can let life pass you by and forget about your dreams, goals, and health. This can have a negative affect on your health and ability to be happy as well, because you are not focusing on things that will make you feel accomplished and alive.

Balance may not be the same for everyone. One person may feel balanced when they put more focus on work and less on relaxation, but they still put focus on other areas of their life, and that’s the key to balance. You have to enjoy a well-rounded life that doesn’t just consist of one thing or the other.

Some Tips to Help You Create Balance

1. Learn To Listen To Your Body

Your body knows when it’s time to take a break and when it’s time to get moving. It’s craving that balance that it needs. You just need to tune into your body and listen to it!

If you have been working too hard you will get signals that you need to relax. You may feel stressed which is a sign of not taking time to relax and recoup. You may feel like you are drifting away from your family which is a sign of not spending time with loved ones. You may be gaining weight which is a sign of sitting behind your desk too much. There are many signs that you may be getting and once you tune into them you will find it easy to understand what you need in order to feel balanced again. The trick is actually doing it!

2. Learning to Say No

It’s not going to help much if you listen to your body but don’t take action on what it’s telling you. Often this is because you are afraid to say no. For example, even though you know you need to relax and recoup, your boss asks you to work extra hours, so you say yes instead of taking the break you need.

Another common example is that you may feel as though you need to get out and exercise but your favorite TV show has come on and you don’t want to miss it (or say no) so you ignore your body and watch the show instead.

You have to willing to listen to your bodies signals and respect them if you want to create balance in your life. Your health and happiness is more important than a few extra hours at work or a TV show. Keep that in mind when debating to say yes or no.

3. Create a Balance Checklist

I have a balance checklist sitting right beside my computer. It contains a list of all the things I think are important to create balance like working, learning, exercising, meditating, and spending time with my husband. Every day I try to do each thing on my list. If I’m successful I feel always balanced at the end of the day, and if I’m not successful it’s usually because I got signals to work more for the day or relax more for the day, which makes me feel good as well.

You can create a balance sheet by listing all the things you think are important to you in life. Then create a table of Monday to Sunday and put your list under each day. As you go along with your week make sure to pay attention to the list and check off the individual tasks as you go along. Your objective should be to check off as many things on your list as you can.

Not only will creating a list to maintain balance help you stay balanced throughout the day, but soon you will find that creating balance in your life will become a habit and you will no longer need your checklist.

The bottom line is in order to be happy in life, you have to create balance. So do what works for you!

Kari writes for Manifest Connection, a personal development website focused on the happiness of the mind, body, and soul.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kari_Farmer
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It’s the time of year when you may be thinking about setting goals for the upcoming year. Many people tell me they want significant change in their lives. They are tired of doing things the same way and getting the same results, so they’re setting big goals.

As you think about your new goals for 2011 I want you to consider if you’ve ever set a goal, then reached it and been disappointed or not as excited and fulfilled as you thought you would be? Or have you ever set a goal that you just can’t seem to reach, no matter how hard you try?

When I first start working with a new client the first thing I want to know is what they want. What is their big goal? It might be to start a business, it might be to achieve a certain level of income or it might be to do something that’s more meaningful in their life. whatever the goal is that they have set for themselves, the first thing I want them to do is to be really clear about what it is that they want, and then I ask them why they want it.

People are often surprised when I ask them that because they haven’t really thought in detail about why they want it – or they may have thought about it, but it could be a bit vague. For example, one of the reasons people often give for wanting to start their own business is because they believe it will give them freedom. Yet it’s often the case that people start their own business only to find that they are working harder and longer hours than before when they were working for somebody else.

If you’re thinking about setting goals for the upcoming year I would encourage you to really get behind the goal. Get to the essence of it – why do you want to accomplish that? What will it give you? How will you feel when you have it? Why is that important to you? How is that different from what you have in your life now?

As you start to think about these things and really get to feel the goal, rather than just thinking about it, something surprising may occur. Very often I find that once people get to the essence of the goal they actually find that the goal they’ve been thinking of is not really what they want at all. You might even start to see that you already have things in your life that give you the very things that you want from the goal you have set, but you’re just not devoting enough time to them.

For example, if you discover that the purpose of your goal is to bring you more peace and balance, do you have anything in your life that brings you that now? Perhaps you feel that way when you are gardening or reading a book or doing yoga or meditation, yet you don’t allow yourself the time to do any of those things. Those are things you could do right now to bring that sense of peace and balance.

So as you are setting your goals for the future, think really carefully about why you want them and what they will bring you. Get to the essence of the goal. When you have a good enough reason for accomplishing the goal – when you have a big enough why, one that you can really feel – accomplishing your goal will be so much easier and you certainly won’t feel disappointed when you reach it.

Good luck with your goal setting – feel free to share your goals and your big WHY. Your sharing may help others with setting their own goals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Binns
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If you own your own business, you may often put off taking any real time off to just relax and unwind and rejuvenate. You imagine ‘someday’ being able to take a vacation, but the thought of doing it now only creates more stress. How can you go away when there is so much to do? If you take time off, you may lose a great opportunity! It makes no sense, does it: You started your own business for more freedom, yet here you are, feeling like you can’t afford to get away. However, if you take time off, you just may CREATE new opportunities because you will come back relaxed and renewed, and, according to research, even healthier.

How can you take time off and feel good about it? This article will give you some tips on how to really live your dream of business ownership and freedom all at the same time.

The health connection I don’t need to tell you that you feel great when you’re on vacation! Granted, the stress level BEFORE that vacation may be high, but often there is some time that you can really say you feel that ‘ahh’ feeling, at least once. You know; you’re lying in the pool in your vacation home rental, listening to wind in the trees and the waves hitting the shore just below you. And when you get that feeling, you wish it would last even longer. My favorite explanation of the benefit of a vacation is from Dr. Mel Borins, author of the book Go Away Just for the Health of It; He says that every trip is a break from the ‘treadmill of daily life’.

But is it just all in your head? There actually have been multiple studies that have investigated the affects of taking vacation on our health. In the year 2000, researchers published their findings in the medical journal Psychosomatic Medicine, after following over 12,000 men in the MRFIT (Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial) study for nine years. They found that the men who took vacations in most years were 20% less likely to die of any cause than those who did not take vacations. They also found that the vacationers were 30% less likely to die of heart disease.

For women, the impact of vacations is even more dramatic. Research conducted by the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation followed 1500 women to find out the results of vacations in their lives. Results were published in a 2005 issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ). They found that women who took vacations only once in every 2 years suffered more depression and tension than women who vacationed twice or more per year. Their conclusion was that personal psychological benefits gained from these regular vacations lead to a more rewarding quality of life and improved work performance.

American vacation habits

If you live in the US, you may know very few people who really take ‘serious’ time off. Experts say that it actually takes the body and mind 2 weeks to relax and get out of that stressed, busy, hyped-up mode we are in when we are working and striving to succeed in our career. But Americans only average 13 days off a year! Italians take an average 42 days off a year and the French 37 days a year. Wow; more than a month! What would you do with a whole month off?? Hm; I’m dreaming already, myself.

Make it happen

One big issue that small business owners have, especially when they are in the early years of growing their businesses is spending the time and money to actually go away! But imagine all that stress you’re living with right now, too! Mental health professionals have pointed out that productivity and creativity actually suffer when we are working at our highest stress levels. This alone is one good reason to get away. If I were to tell you that your business would be more profitable if you took a vacation, my guess is that you would start planning it, now!

The issue of being afraid to spend the money is another very real concern for new business owners. However, not all vacations need to be first class and expensive. However, no matter what your budget, there are several tips to help you actually make a vacation happen and to get the most out of that escape.

1. Plan your vacation, now, for at least six months from now. You’ll be much more likely to take it if you start planning far ahead of time. The planning will help your excitement grow, plus you’ll have time to save for that trip, too. Additionally, you can benefit from lower travel rates and fares if you plan early and can watch prices.

2. Pick out something you would really like to do, not something you feel committed to do. This is your time for renewal and rebirth. The point is to get away from stressors and make it all about you for a change!

3. Consider the slowest time for your business and plan your vacation for that period of time. This kills two birds with one stone, actually. You don’t have to stress about business slowing down and you can get away without feeling you’re missing new opportunities.

4. Put the vacation on your calendar. Once you’ve committed, it starts to feel more real and you are more likely to do the planning and organizing to make it happen. Scheduled vacations are less likely to be canceled than ones that are just talked about.

5. As mentioned above, don’t let financial concerns keep you home. In your planning phase, be realistic about what you can afford. Shop around and consider different options that fit into your budget. The fact that you are planning ahead of time means you can even set up a separate ‘vacation fund’ account. Be sure to save up for the time you are gone, too, if your income is dependent on your physical presence.

6. Use that vacation time to do something different. Don’t take time off for painting the house or remodeling or visiting family as an obligation. Do something different each year! When my daughter was growing up, we never believed we could go far for our vacation, so we always went to the same location, which was only a few hours away by car. However, after she was out of the house, and we started talking about our next trip, we analyzed how much we spent and started looking at other options that cost the same amount. Since then, on the same budget each time, we have been to Hawaii two times, to Jamaica and to Mexico. Our next trip will be Costa Rica! My point is, do not feel that your budget will always limit you. With online travel resources, there are incredible deals for all budgets, today.

In the meantimeVacations force us to relax and open our minds up to fresh inspiration. As a business owner, this is the life-blood of your success. Many successful entrepreneurs actually credit their vacation time for the creation of new ideas for their next big success.

But in the meantime, you still need some downtime in the course of the day and week. Although the emphasis of this article is on REAL vacations, life is what you are living right now and can’t be put on hold. You have to enjoy each day. Again, you have started your business so you can enjoy life more. This means having, or taking, the time to sit back and smell the roses along the way. So what are you doing each day to really enjoy those roses? Taking some time to spend researching where your next ideal vacation will be is one way of ‘getting away from it all’, actually. But that’s just one idea. When was the last time you called up a friend in the middle of the week to meet for lunch or a game of tennis? Are you taking time for yourself to exercise, mediate or practice self-care? Do you always feel you must be productive? I am challenging you today to spend some ‘quiet time’ each day doing either nothing, or at least nothing that fits in your category of being ‘productive’. Too much productivity leads to staleness and actually decreased productivity. And, after all, we want you healthy enough to TAKE that great yearly vacation!

Marjorie Geiser is a nutritionist, registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, life coach, and MBA student. Marjorie has been the owner of a successful small business, MEG Fitness, since 1996, and now helps other professionals start up or grow their own business through MEG Enterprises.com. To learn more about the services Margie offers, go to her website at http://www.meg-enterprises.com or email her at margie@meg-enterprises.com.

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The other day I was talking about how Triangles are the strongest geometric shape in the world. Its shape is very simple: a flat base with two sides that come together at the top to meet at a point. They are rigid, able to stand freely, and able to support their own weight. They do this against the forces of gravity.

A great example of the triangle’s strength is the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt, built around 2575 BC, it is one of the largest surviving pyramids in the world today, WOW!

When we are balanced; mind, body, spirit, we are like the triangle, we are stronger and can stand freely.

Try this exercise, take a piece of paper and pencil or pen, on the paper draw a triangle.  On the left side of the triangle write the word MIND, on the right side write the word BODY, and at the bottom write the word SPIRIT.  Now in the center of the triangle write your own name.

The POINT is really three points (as a triangle has three points):

If you are NOT taking care of all of the sides; mind, body, or spirit, then you are NOT a triangle anymore – You are OUT OF BALANCE.

When one of these areas of your life is out of balance, in total you are out of balance and lose all your strength – YOU become vulnerable.

To be the woman you were created to be it is imperative to be in balance with all three; mind, body, and spirit.

Are you balanced in your life?  Are you a triangle?

If your answers are NO to both questions, then what can you start to do today to get back into balance? What can you do to get your body healthy from the inside out?  How can you de-clutter and clear your mind?  What are you feeding your spirit?

Create a list of what actions you can and will take to start your “re-balancing” program, enabling you to become a triangle and regain your strength and power.

Make action step #1 to post at least one step on your “re-balancing” program here!  I would love to see what steps you are going to take!  Have questions?  It would be a pleasure to answer them and I’m sure a help to all of my readers.

I am a Certified Coach who specializes in working with married executive women helping them have a joyful and fulfilling relationship with their spouse without losing their identity, feel more in control and form better decisions on what is important to them. I focus on women executives and entrepreneurs because I have been there. As a former executive and now an entrepreneur I relate to the unique challenges that we as women face in the business world. I have been married to my ideal mate for 18 years and adore him. Ultimately I am about love…for yourself, your marriage, your life. For more information, visit my website: http://www.secretsforasuccessfulmarriage.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Birmingham

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• Balance Means True Health
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The other day I was talking about how Triangles are the strongest geometric shape in the world. Its shape is very simple: a flat base with two sides that come together at the top to meet at a point. They are rigid, able to stand freely, and able to support their own weight. They do this against the forces of gravity.

A great example of the triangle’s strength is the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt, built around 2575 BC, it is one of the largest surviving pyramids in the world today, WOW!

When we are balanced; mind, body, spirit, we are like the triangle, we are stronger and can stand freely.

Try this exercise, take a piece of paper and pencil or pen, on the paper draw a triangle.  On the left side of the triangle write the word MIND, on the right side write the word BODY, and at the bottom write the word SPIRIT.  Now in the center of the triangle write your own name.

The POINT is really three points (as a triangle has three points):

If you are NOT taking care of all of the sides; mind, body, or spirit, then you are NOT a triangle anymore – You are OUT OF BALANCE.

When one of these areas of your life is out of balance, in total you are out of balance and lose all your strength – YOU become vulnerable.

To be the woman you were created to be it is imperative to be in balance with all three; mind, body, and spirit.

Are you balanced in your life?  Are you a triangle?

If your answers are NO to both questions, then what can you start to do today to get back into balance? What can you do to get your body healthy from the inside out?  How can you de-clutter and clear your mind?  What are you feeding your spirit?

Create a list of what actions you can and will take to start your “re-balancing” program, enabling you to become a triangle and regain your strength and power.

Make action step #1 to post at least one step on your “re-balancing” program here!  I would love to see what steps you are going to take!  Have questions?  It would be a pleasure to answer them and I’m sure a help to all of my readers.

I am a Certified Coach who specializes in working with married executive women helping them have a joyful and fulfilling relationship with their spouse without losing their identity, feel more in control and form better decisions on what is important to them. I focus on women executives and entrepreneurs because I have been there. As a former executive and now an entrepreneur I relate to the unique challenges that we as women face in the business world. I have been married to my ideal mate for 18 years and adore him. Ultimately I am about love…for yourself, your marriage, your life. For more information, visit my website: http://www.secretsforasuccessfulmarriage.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Birmingham

Related posts:

• Life Balance – Mind, Body, Spirit
• Balance Means True Health
• Health Springs From Within
• Cycle of Health – Mind, Body and Spirit
• Cultivating Deeper Spiritual Understanding