It is Possible! Reduce Stress and Increase Life Balance

by | Jun 17, 2015 | Self-Care, Wellness Tips & Information, Workplace Wellness

time, fast moving, balancing act

 Dr. Donna L. Hamilton, MD

Lately there seems to be a balanced living backlash. Many people, including “expert” consultants, have begun to tell overextended women to give up on the idea of life balance.  It saddens and frustrates me when I hear this.

My physician thinking kicks in and translates this to any other health issue.  Overextended, stressful living is by no means a terminal diagnosis. The best advice is not to send someone home and make them comfortable. It doesn’t even have to be treated like a chronic, debilitating condition where we teach people how to make the best of life in spite of it.  I think of stressed, off kilter living in terms of something that if managed well you can minimize flair ups. You can also get things under control with minimal complications when exacerbations do happen.

As with all things health, one size doesn’t fit all.  Speak with your doctor or therapist to come up with a balanced living plan that works for you.  Certain strategies, however, tend to effective.  Check out these tips to see if any appeal to you.  Then make an appointment to talk with your health care provider to come up with a stress management plan that will help you start to have a more balanced life now.

1)     Be aware:

In our fast paced, on demand life it’s very easy to live on autopilot.  Starting to pay attention to what you really want, what is and isn’t working, and what is actually pulling you out of balance can help you start to course correct.

 

2)     Prioritize:

You’ve probably heard this a million times. That’s because it works. Setting priorities can help get you out of overwhelm.  Decide what’s most important to you and what’s necessary. Then make choices that move you towards accomplishing it instead of  toward distracting interests. This can go a long way to feeling more balanced and less stressed in your life.

 

3)     Align your life:

  Pursuing conflicting goals is a recipe for getting off balance.  When roles and responsibilities pull you in different directions major stress can develop.  It can be tough, but if you want to start feeling more harmony and stability in your life you might have to make some changes.  The changes could be internal (ex. letting go of overachieving or perfectionist goals), external (ex. getting rid of some schedule commitments.) or both.

Be well.

 

 

© 2012 Donna L. Hamilton, MD

 

 

Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP
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