Achieving balance across all aspects of our lifestyles and mental well-being is not possible for the majority of us. Instead of trying to reach ‘’perfection’’ in every aspect, aim instead to take small steps to make incremental progress. Start by asking yourself the following questions, and take note of which questions you answer ‘’no’’ to:
- Do you wake up in the morning with enough energy for the rest of the day?
- Are you satisfied with your social life?
- Do you have certain goals that you want to, and can, achieve?
- Do you feel content with your life?
- Are you able to do the things you love?
- Do you feel nourished by the food you eat?
- Are you able to participate enough in social activities and society?
- Do you feel seen, heard, and understood?
- Are you being held back in your life by physical pain or discomfort?
- Can you recover (relatively) quickly after a physical or mental setback?
- If life would be like this for the rest of my life, would it be worthwhile?
Don’t be hard on yourself if you have not answered ‘’yes’’ to all of these questions. Some parts of our lives are more nuanced, and we may experience lower or higher levels of well-being at different life stages. The important thing to remember is that we can make small changes to enhance our lifestyle and well-being. Consider the following tips to help you achieve this:
Take your time: Progress with small steps, take one pillar from the list and work on a small aspect of your life that you can change. For example, if you want to move more, aim for a 20-minute walk at lunch rather than a gym session every day. This approach will be more sustainable and enjoyable in the long run.
Keep trying: If you do not succeed immediately, it is not a failure, just try again when you feel ready. Progress is never linear, and some weeks may feel better than others. The important thing is to pick yourself up and keep going.
Reach out for help: Just like anything in life, reaching out to your support network can help you tackle your challenges. Whether it’s a friend, family member, partner, or colleague, getting external support is integral to improving your lifestyle and well-being.
