How to Find Your Balance

The hustle and bustle of our previously “normal” world can be challenging to navigate in itself. The added stress of a global pandemic has led more people to struggle with their mental and physical health. It is indescribably important to be conscious of your emotions and overall well-being as it’s so easy to fall into a rut.

Over the past few weeks, many people have reached out to me expressing their frustrations, challenges, and general feelings of being overwhelmed. I refer to this as imbalance. Many of us thrive on routine and with a handful of wrenches being thrown into our routine machines, we are forced to recalibrate, readjust, and refocus.

Here are a few tips that help me overcome those times when you feel like your head might be dipping below the surface.

1. Talk to Someone
This can be easy for some and challenging for others, but many of us have at least one person we can reach out to and be completely honest and transparent with. You could also consider joining one of the Facebook groups out there that have become support systems. One group that I co-administer and participate in regularly is Brazen Babes. This group is a safe space for women to go for support and advice.

2. Breathe
A couple years ago I became quite diligent with practicing yoga and the one main takeaway I had was how important your breathing is. Shift your focus from the anxiety, stress, and millions of thoughts by deepening and slowing your breath. This can be performed sitting up at your desk at work, in the shower, and during a meditation session.

3. Have a Me Day
People are always telling me you have to fill up your own cup first. This can be a hard concept for many women as we often default to giving more to others than ourselves. It is imperative that we listen to our body and emotions and make time for self care. Schedule yourself a massage or facial, go shopping, take a yoga or fitness class, go for a hike. Whatever it is, EVERYONE needs to make this a priority!

4. Watch a Tearjerker
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find having a good cry from a movie to be a good reset for your emotions. We often suppress how we feel and those emotions can take over our being. This then leads to a change in our overall mood and demeanor. My go-to tearjerker movies are Steel Magnolias, My Girl, and Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

5. Read a Book
This one isn’t for everyone, but reading can aid in shifting your focus away from the constant thoughts of your everyday stressors. When I’m feeling unbalanced, I will often crack open books about perspective and gratitude. Some of my favorites are Good Vibes, Good Life, Chasing the Brightside, and The Gratitude Diaries. While these books can distract my mind, they also provide refreshing new perspectives in changing your mentality.

6. Have a Relaxing Bath
This one might be a little tougher for the mamas out there, but being able to disconnect for even an hour with a relaxing soak can take the tension level down. I like to add some bath salts, a glass of vino, and a scented candle for ambience. I love the Spa Luxetique variety pack that comes with a few different scented salts as well as some tea tree oil to enhance the relaxation. If you really want to get fancy, get yourself a caddy like this Utoplike Bathtub Caddy Tray. You can thank me later!

7. Write it Down
I have always kept a journal since I was a kid and have always found it quite therapeutic to be able to get your thoughts and emotions out by writing them down (or typing them out). The trick for me is to go back a few days later and read what I wrote to reflect on those emotions and see things from a different perspective.

8. Exercise
Exercising is super important to me, but it is usually the first thing to take a back seat when my anxiety is spiking. It can be difficult to muster up the energy to even go for a walk. My only advice here is to find a compromise for yourself to do at least 20-30 minutes of something. You will feel a million times better and it isn’t a huge time commitment. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which can spark a positive feeling. It’s a win-win!

9. Meditation
This is a fairly new love of mine. I try to meditate every night before bed to clear my head and soften the anxiety for a better sleep. There are so many fantastic guided meditation recordings on YouTube that can assist everyone from first timers to experienced meditators.

10. Plan a Date Night
I am lucky enough to have a partner that has a truly amazing energy. Spending time with him can bring my anxiety down and bring a sense of calm. He is quite intuitive and always seems to know when I need some one-on-one time. Planning a date night with your significant other can be a welcomed distraction and remind you to express gratitude and love for yourself and your circle.