Our society places a high value on busyness. We’re expected to hold a full-time job, raise healthy, well-adjusted children, and have a clean house. There’s not much emphasis placed on making sure we’re taking care of our own needs, let alone finding a good work/life balance and reducing our stress.

How many of us find ourselves rushing from one stress to the next, eating on the go, taking care of everyone else’s priorities…and rarely doing things just for us?

Finding balance can be difficult, but it’s always, always, always possible. There are times where we’re stuck in traffic, standing in line, or waiting at a stoplight. These are opportunities for you to take a few slow, deep breaths, bring your awareness into the present moment, and remember that you are more than the sum of your roles in life. 

Once you start claiming these small moments for yourself, you might find yourself craving more. As Garrett Gunderson said (in a podcast I recently heard), “We show up as a better version of who we are when we treat ourselves as a great asset.” 

Here are some other powerful ways to work more balance into your life: 

1. Start small – find time at the beginning or end of your day, and make it a daily habit.

2. Unplug.

3. Exercise.

4. Go outside.

5. Meditate.

6. Pay attention to your health.

Finding balance in your life is a very personal thing – what works for one person may not work for another. Spending time discovering what relieves your stress and helps you feel good is worth every moment, and will certainly improve your life. Start small, and build on your successes!