With all the juggling of everyday tasks in life, at work, home, family, friends, trying to deal with the finances and keeping healthy, sometimes fun and joy, romance, dreams, personal growth and spirituality for well being seem to get pushed aside on the back burner. Soon afterwards resentment begins to step in, as you are not able to follow what gives you real pleasure and enjoyment, because it all just seems to be work, work, work and no play. The body gets tired, exhausted and then burn out can follow with ailments and feeling down or even depressed.
We are all told it is about balance and that is what we should all be doing. In theory that is great, but in a real life situation, it doesn’t always work out that way. People have children or older family members that they need to attend to and care for. It may be work responsibilities. Don’t work that overtime and they may lose that clinching deal they need to get ahead. It may be they work for themselves and if they don’t work, they don’t get paid and can’t afford to lose that job that has just come in. It may be that they work for themselves and they run a business. Taking time off isn’t always easy, especially when they are the business, and cannot rely or delegate anyone else to do the job. You wouldn’t expect a celebrity singer to send someone else to sing and do a signing, to launch their new track. It just wouldn’t work.
So spare a thought next time you demand someone’s time and they say “I can’t do this week or next”, or they didn’t call when they said they would. Life doesn’t revolve around you and often they didn’t intend it, personally. Life is not regimental, things happen. Allow them some freedom to just be. They may have other things to attend to or may need to unwind a little, stress free without chat or thought. Basically one should not put another under stress in order to fulfill their own ego or satisfaction. It is a little like calling a DJ or singer early in the morning when you know they have been djing/singing the night before. Just because you go to bed at ten every night and wake up at six every morning, doesn’t mean the rest of the world does. So allow everyone to have their own switch off time. Don’t be offended when they don’t respond straight away.
Chronic stress is known to cause many problems; it can affect the mind which can lead to depression and can affect the metabolism and make you overweight, as you crave sugary and starchy foods for comfort. Chronic stress causes an increased hormone cortisol level and can change the body’s ability to produce insulin, leading to direct abdominal obesity.
Stress can affect mood and motivation. Stress can affect the ability to sleep, cause disturbed sleep or have a good quality sleep that will allow the body to recharge.
Stress can affect the appearance. It is a known fact within the beauty industry that late nights or lack of sleep causes the skin pores to dilate, giving the skin a dull and sallow appearance. Stress can strip away B vitamins from the body, needed to support the adrenal glands and supplying oxygen cells.
So what should do we do? Find that balance that everyone talks about. Your balance may be different to someone else’s balance or idea of balance. Only you will know your own body and its capabilities and limits. You might need 8 hours sleep, while your friend can get by on 4 hours. You may keep in shape by exercising at three times a week, while your friend trains six times a week. You can eat throughout the day, eat late at night and drink milk without it upsetting your body, while others can’t. Everyone is different so find what your balance is and don’t follow or go along with other people’s lifestyle habits. Create your own.
Creating your Balance – When time is short, double up on some things and combine work and pleasure whenever possible. Often my work is also my social activity; I am fortunate that sometimes I can invite my friends to where I am working or go to an event where my friends are working, so I may get to either perform at an event, have a business meeting and ask friends to join after.
Going to the gym or an exercise program – Why not ask a friend to join you for a bike ride, a gym session or do a fitness class and maybe eat together afterwards? You have to eat right?! Whatever works for you.
Learning and progression – If you have been thinking of doing a particular course, ask a friend if they want to join.
Find a way to relax and unwind. Don’t answer phone calls if you don’t feel you can handle harassment of a particularly annoying person. Call back when you are in the mood to handle them. Set up customise priority call on your phone while it is on Do Not Disturb.
Find a way to have your unwind time for you; Whether it is it a spa retreat or away on business and you have spa facilities, take advantage and use that important de stress time. Don’t go in with someone who will wind you up.
Prioritise yourself!
Love and Sparkles
Samsara x