Friday 29 July 2011

How To Lead a Well-Balanced Life

Everyone longs to be healthy and happy. After all, what's the point in working hard toward a long and healthy life if you can't enjoy it? While focusing on a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating right is great for your body, balanced living means protecting your mental and emotional health, too. And stress reduction needs to be at the top of your to-do list.

Balanced living means considering all aspects of your life: relationships, work, fitness and health, and emotional well-being.

Being happy gives you a better outlook on life, so you're more prepared to tackle your tasks. Stress, on the other hand, can keep you from enjoying life and can have a negative impact on your health. Research also has shown that stress can stifle creativity.

Make time to take care of yourself and indulge in creative outlets you enjoy to help with stress reduction:

* Schedule time each week to allow yourself to de-stress, and spend a few minutes on relaxation each day.
* Get up a few minutes early in the morning to savor a cup of coffee and some quiet time before everyone else wakes up.
* Make daily activities more fun — try a new ethnic recipe for dinner, take a long aromatherapy soak instead of a quick shower, or listen to new music or learn a new language while you commute to work.
* Devote time each week to a hobby you love or to learning a new one you’ve always wanted to try; art classes in particular are stimulating and rewarding.
* Instead of just sitting at your desk and gobbling down lunch while you keep working, spend your lunch hour doing things you enjoy, like going for a walk, taking an exercise break, or reading a book.
* Don’t forget to laugh. It’s great for your health and can help:
o Alleviate stress
o Fight off infections
o Boost brain health
o Lower blood pressure
o Improve your mood


source: healthyliving

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