6 Ways To Have A Balanced Life

When it comes to life, being happy and well, there is no single area of life that we need to single out, as life is multi-faceted and filled with different aspects.

To truly have a balanced life, you have to know all these aspects and focus on them equally, neglecting none.

Here are six aspects of life which, when combined, form a full picture of a balanced life.

1) Emotional

Emotions often seem like a part of life we cannot control. However, being emotionally intelligent means becoming more self-aware and learning how to act and react the way that we need to, as opposed to the way we want to. To have a better emotional life, you need to:

Learn the basics of emotional intelligence.

The basics of self-awareness are in four categories, which include:

1. Self-awareness: Recognising your emotions when they happen.
2. Self-regulation: Learning how to respond to your emotions in a positive manner.
3. Empathy: Being aware of other’s emotions and internal states.
4. Social Skills: Knowing how to respond to other people’s emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

• Forgive yourself for past mistakes.
• Question your feelings before reacting.
• Learn to relax and better manage daily stress.

2) Financial

Another aspect of a balanced life that can never be ignored is our material need. It includes and determines your food, shelter, healthcare, and other basics to living a well-meaning life.

For most, this means owning a job/career that supports your material well-being. While you may not get a choice in what you do for a living, there are several ways to give yourself more power over both your work and financial life. Here are a few important nuggets:

• Get a job that interests you and makes you enough money to live comfortably.
• Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Then start a business that profits you financially.
• Maintain a healthy financial life. Learn how to set a budget, save and have investments.
• Prioritize your spending. If you can do without something, do not buy it.

3) Mental

Simply because you are done with school does not mean you can’t keep learning new things and challenging your brain. Studies have shown that by constantly exercising your brain, you greatly improve your cognitive abilities and maintain good mental health into old age. These are some ways to keep your minds sharp:

• Read books.
• Watch documentaries.
• Challenge your brain with puzzles, board games, video games and other problem-solving activities.
• Learn about your mind and cognition.

4) Physical

The physical aspect of life includes your health and the way it is taken care of, i.e. your body. What you eat, how often you exercise, keeping good hygiene, how you carry yourself, and your physical life are all a part of your life you cannot rule out. To maintain your physical health, do the following things:

• Find ways to be physically active every day.
• Sleep well.
• Pay rapt attention to what you eat.
• Keep good hygiene.
• Quit harmful habits such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or doing harmful drugs.

5) Social

Having a social life and a sense of belonging is a basic human need that you should not avoid if you want a happy and balanced life. Even if you are the most introverted person in the world, you need a couple of good friends to give you a sense of purpose and meaning.

Some ways to have a social life include:

• Stay connected with friends and family.
• Have hobbies that include people.
• Find opportunities to meet new people.
• Invite someone or go over for a meal.
• Use social media and the internet to connect.
• Be kind and have good manners.
• Learn how to identify drama and avoid it and its source.
• Have quality relationships as opposed to quantity.

6) Spiritual

Spirituality may sometimes be overlooked, but whether you are religious or not, a meaningful spiritual practice will contribute positively to your life. This can include prayer, meditation, spending time outside, or engaging in or creating a spiritual practice of your own. To have spiritual balance, try doing the following;

• Spend time in solitude. It is really not as depressing as it sounds. Dedicate some time alone for prayer, meditation, or even something as simple as watching the sunrise.
• Connect with others who share similar beliefs with you as a way to build community and practice together.
• Have faith that life is good.
• Go to a church, synagogue, mosque or read spiritually-oriented books. Talk to others who have a spiritual practice and ask them how it contributes to their lives.