How to Find Balance in the 5 Key Areas of Life

Balance. I think it’s something a lot of people constantly struggle with in life.

Work, kids, relationships, and trying to stay mentally sane and physically healthy all take a toll on us.

You may be doing well at work, but drowning in other areas. If you are feeling drained or like something isn’t right, then take a moment to evaluate where you are putting too much or not enough energy into.

There is a simple strategy for finding clarity and getting life back in balance. They are called the 5 Key Areas of Life, and using this tactic can help you make some drastic improvements.

Our Physical health naturally is going to play a key role in our lives, but not only to the extent you may think. Yes we need to eat nutritious food and stay active, hydrated, and get enough rest. But this should never be your only focus in life- you can have great physical health and still be lacking in all other aspects.

Ever heard of someone who looks great, seems healthy, and is in great shape, but dies of a heart attack, is on antidepressants, or commits suicide?

It is never just about the physical body.

This category can be looked at in a number of ways, and some people will immediately think of religious or spiritual practices, like meditating or going to church.

Although these would absolutely fall in this category, not everyone practices rituals of this nature in their lives, yet everyone has a spiritual element to them.

In place of the more traditional dogma, some people spend time in nature, volunteer, or garden to nurture their spiritual selves.

A spiritual practice can be anything that makes you feel more connected with yourself and the world around you — the things that keep you in alignment with your highest self and make your soul happy.

Putting your attention, focus, and energy into something productive is one of the ways that as humans we achieve a sense of fulfillment. It doesn’t necessarily mean earning millions of dollars or even earning a living, but contributing to the world somehow makes us feel that we are making a difference.

Professionals work towards advancing their careers, and stay-at-home parents contribute to their children’s lives and perhaps some extracurricular events they participate in.

Any kind of goal you are working towards and feel a sense of achievement will fall under this bracket.

Your connection to other people has a massive impact on the quality of your life.

A 75-year study done by Stanford tracked the common traits among the happiest and healthiest people and showed that our connections to others are one of the most critical aspects of our wellbeing overall.

Nurturing personal relationships is imperative and helps us feel more connected and understood.

This encompasses all relationships, including family, friends, co-workers, and other members of groups we are a part of, not just romantic relationships.

As human beings, our brains grow continually throughout all stages of life, even into the elderly years. One of the most valuable things we can do to support ourselves is to constantly be learning and challenging ourselves. This doesn’t have to mean formal school or classes; it can be any kind of learning on any topic you like.

Reading books, taking up golf or trying a new hobby all count.

These few core components are crucial to our health and well being mentally, physically, and emotionally. An excess or shortage of any of them will cause us to feel off and that something just isn’t quite right.

As human beings, our brains grow continually throughout all stages of life, even into the elderly years.

One of the most valuable things we can do to support ourselves is to constantly learn and challenge ourselves. This doesn’t have to mean formal school or classes; it can be any kind of learning on any topic you like.

Reading books, taking up golf or trying a new hobby all count.

These few core components are crucial to our health and well-being mentally, physically, and emotionally. An excess or shortage of any of them will cause us to feel off and that something just isn’t quite right.

Do a quick overview of the 5 Key Areas of your life.

Now go down the list and try and balance them out. Take note of all the areas where there might be too much attention or energy going, and try and balance that out by adding some items into the thinner spaces.

How about replacing a few hours of TV or overtime work with a hike or coffee dates with your elderly aunt?

Write down all the things you would like to do more of or less of in each category.

Maybe there are a few people you want to nurture your relationship with (or cut out of your life).

Any passion projects sound fun recently? Feel like taking up a new sport, or learning about something? Jot it down.

Tip the Scales

Take one or a few of those things from an area you seem to be lacking in and block some time out on your calendar.

Make a date, send the text, sign up for the class. Buy the book.

Any time life starts to seem out of whack for one reason or another, check back in with these key areas and see what’s missing or what there is a surplus of.

Making sure each of these aspects of your life is being nurtured and cared for is one simple way to stay one step ahead of the curve.