As Lifestyle Counselors, we help clients cultivate the seemingly elusive concept of balanced living.  It's easier than you think.  Take your "to do" list as an example.  Most of our clients are busy executives with action-packed schedules.  But, we haven't met an executive yet who truly doesn't have time to take control of their health.  It's your most important asset; one that will help ensure you reach all your other goals and can enjoy the fruits of your labor down the road.

Right now, look at your schedule for next week.  Are exercise, relaxation, quality sleep, time for meal planning and building nourishing relationships on there?  If not, you might need a slight adjustment in priorities.  Believe us, it'll bring your whole life into greater focus.  Here are a few reasons to consider bringing more balance to your life.

- Making time for regular exercise actually gives us more energy.  Cardio strengthens our immune system which can translate into less downtime due to illness.  Exercise also floods our bodies with healthful, mood enhancing endorphins which have been shown to boost our peacefulness for up to twelve hours.  New research is showing it can be done in little 10 minute bursts of activity.

- If you experience any amount of stress in your day, it's important to balance it with relaxation.  Extreme stress is associated with the age-advancing biochemical called cortisol.  When we relax deeply on the other hand, our bodies are flooded with chemicals that help offset the damage from the day's stresses.

- Stress is catabolic.  It breaks down our body's tissues.  Sleep is anabolic.  It is part of our body's natural process of rejuvenation.  We need a balance.

- The amount of time you spend planning your meals for the week, say on a Sunday, is a huge investment in your health.  Answers to these questions will show you how.  How many times have you been caught hungry with only vending machine choices available?  What does extreme hunger and poor choices do to your blood glucose level?  Extreme swings in our blood glucose level (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia) is anti-Aging Fabulously! 

- Lastly, part of being an adult means dealing with people.  If our days are filled with frustrating contact with people who are so entirely difficult to deal with that we just want to holler, we need some balance.  Who is on your schedule that you look forward to being with in healthful anticipation? Write it in.  Make it a priority!

We know a lot people freak out when they hear the word "balance".  Some think it's over used.  Not us!  Just look at your schedule for next week.  Does it appear balanced?  If not, just think of what you really, really want.  When you do, the balancing act becomes much easier.
 
Here's to more balanced, healthy living.