In our November/December story “Living a Balanced Life,” we learned the importance of not letting life become so harried that you don’t make time to nurture your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Now it’s your turn. How do you balance your responsibilities with activities that let you renew and recharge? How do you keep a sense of proportion in your life? We want to know!
I have an evening "wind down" ritual that I follow most nights, regardless of how late I worked (erratic retail hours) or how stressful my day was. It's simplicity belies its profoundly comforting, empowering resonance.
ReplyDeleteAfter supper, I put the kettle on, pick a random herbal tea from my large tin of mixed teas, light some incense, and turn on the computer. There I tune in to a Buddhist guided meditation on ShambalaSun.com
Sunday is my day of rest and worship. I attend morning and evening services at church and spend the remaining time resting and relaxing. acptuser(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have 2 wks!
ReplyDeleteWith my kids, we play peaceful music on Pandora, light a candle, eat a light super healthy dinner. Share gratitudes of the day. I often times play flutes and tell "visual" stories when their heading to bed (8:30-9 ish). Depending on how much homework, we all are reading individually or together after dinner.
As for my alone wks! I enjoy light exercise after an early dinner. Then a soak in a hot tub/sauna/steam room when possible. I love to read books/magazines while "soaking" and relaxing. Depending on time, I drink some tea, write in a journal some nights and then candles out about 8:30. I really like to begin my day around the 5 o'clock hour with a cup of coffee/tea, stretch on the floor followed by a run/walk. Then some breakfast before the work day gets rolling along.
Choosing activities that fit all three necessities (physical, emotional, spiritual) in one dose really help out my somewhat erratic and hectic lifestyle. My favorite activity has become yoga. I used to view yoga as strictly an emotional/physical balancing outlet, but there are teachers and styles that really address spiritual connectedness as well.
ReplyDeleteDecember may be a stress-filled month characterized by lots of running around, doing errands, attending parties. All of which can leave me just drained at the end of the week. Luckily, December is also a month of opportunity for community based 5k's and caroling events. Take the time to include your loved ones in these things, and you'll find yourself recharged instead of overrun!