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Location: Home > KeySolutions EAP > E-Zine Archive > Acheiving Balance Achieving Balance in a Crazy World-John Lennon One definition of balance is being physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually grounded to oneself, one's community and a higher power. I find that the wisdom in the 12 Step Recovery programs can provide good orderly direction when looking to achieve balance in our lives and help guide decision-making. The slogans that abound in 12-step rooms, which at first may appear hackneyed clichés, are actually valuable tools we can use to define and attain that elusive balance we strive for. First Things FirstThe first aspect of finding balance is in the physical realm. Whether helping clients learn to live free of addictive substances, or assisting those with biochemical disorders to find the right medications, the physical plane must be addressed before any other area. The mind and body are connected. New research teaches us that there is a direct relationship between our thoughts, feelings and biochemical functions. By physical balance I don't mean just exercise, although that's an important ingredient, but taking the time to attend to all of our physical needs. The Surgeon General has stated that obesity is quickly becoming our nation's number one health problem. We live in a culture that bombards us with messages about food, usually the kind that holds "empty" calories, and may even have addictive qualities for those individuals predisposed to addictions. A balanced food plan is essential for all of us. Proper diet, one loaded with fresh fruit, juices, vegetables and protein, is needed in times of stress, since the chemicals released by stress have such a negative impact on our bodies. Our brains are our most powerful tool to cope with stress, and our brains simply can't function effectively if the fuel is not there to help it run. By practicing good nutrition and providing our bodies with healthy nourishment we can do a lot to create balance not only in our bodies but in our minds as well. Getting the right amount of rest is also an integral ingredient for our physical balance. Many people do not sleep well and feel fatigued much of the time. New studies are now dispelling the old myth that we can not "catch up on our sleep." By taking extended rest periods we can undo the damage that lack of sleep and rest creates. So spending a few extra hours in bed next weekend may be just the thing you need to start getting balance back in your life! Rest can also be achieved through practices such as meditation which produces the relaxation response, an activity that greatly benefits the body, mind and spirit. Other ways to renew the mind are to listen to relaxation tapes or calming music. Light-hearted fun also will help us to feel better. Think, Think, ThinkAs Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and he is us." Our minds can certainly be our own worst enemies. We are bombarded with critical, negative thoughts and chatter. We give ourselves thousands of negative thoughts throughout the day, so we need to develop tools to combat that process to achieve peace of mind, and balanced thoughts. Positive self-talk is a wonderful tool to quiet the mind and release intrusive self-defeating thoughts. Affirmations, the positive use of self-encouraging statements, help to offset the negative energy of self-defeating thoughts. Humor can also be used to break the cycle of negative thoughts and feelings. By tickling the funny bone, we have the opportunity to redirect negative thoughts and have a balanced mind. Joyful feelings create a sense of well-being and trigger the production of hormones that promote healing. How Important Is It?This slogan can help us recognize that feelings are transitory and they will pass. Our emotions are directly tied to our thoughts and also play a significant role in altering our biochemistry. Depressed individuals are 70% more likely to have heart attacks than their non-depressed counterparts. Similarly, highly anxious individuals exhibit greater thickening of the arterial wall and were more often in need of repeated angioplasty compared to those who were less anxious. Anxiety is estimated to cost $15 billion annually in direct service costs, such as medical, and $50 billion in indirect costs, such as lost or reduced productivity, illness and death (Mind/Body Health 1996,1997). Chronically angry individuals are found to be four to five times more likely to die from heart attacks compared to those who experience significantly less anger (Williams, 1993). Stress is actually based in our thoughts. We assign events as stressful and this thought process then impacts our feelings and bodies. By utilizing a phrase like "How important is it?" one can balance or weigh the effects that worry and anxiety play upon us. By reframing stressful situations and recognizing that they are not as terrible as we think, we can begin to achieve emotional balance. Let Up On The ThrottleThe Red Baron and his counterparts in World War I flew planes that were not equipped with throttles for slowing down or speeding up. As you can imagine, constant full speed took its toll on the life of the engines, and takeoffs and landings were always an adventure. We are not meant to run at full speed all the time. We may race for a while with open throttle through our lives, packing our time with one activity after another, but if we do not slow down occasionally we are headed for burnout or a crash landing. To find balance it is important to occasionally take a break from our hectic lives. As John Lennon wrote, "Life is what happens when we're making other plans" and so it is time to do the things that will help create balance in our lives. Taking another piece of wisdom from 12 Step Programs, take a brief daily inventory on your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual condition and begin finding your path to balance. -De Haan |
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