Time is a precious commodity. Do you feel like you are on a treadmill as you dash to meet the wide-ranging demands of your life? You may hop on the treadmill early in the morning and not stop until late at night. Compounding the busy day is that you always seem to be in a hurry. As a result, you may enter “automatic overdrive” as you methodically click off the “To Do’s” in daily planners and Palm Pilots.

When it comes to making choices regarding how to spend precious time, it helps to keep the concept of balance in mind. One crucial aspect of balance involves nurturing one’s self. To illustrate this concept, consider the Indian proverb that states: “Everyone is a house with four rooms--physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time. But unless we go into each room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.” Unless you take the time to care for each of the dimensions that contributes to the whole self, you will never reach your fullest potential. In order for you to air out the rooms in your “house” and develop your whole self, you must be willing to make a powerful investment in terms of living true to your values and priorities.

How do you begin? First, it is essential to reflect on personal values and then begin to set goals (both short-term and long-term) that will help guide you toward a more balanced self (and life). Here is a brief list of suggestions for how to nurture each essential room in your “house.”

• Strive to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day or most days of the week. Remember routine activity that is not typically considered exercise does count (e.g., taking stairs, doing housework, mowing the lawn, etc.).
• Eat well. If you need to make adjustments, let the Food Pyramid guide you toward making more healthful choices.
• Sleep. Most adults need between seven-eight hours of sleep each night to function at peak levels.

• Keep priorities in line with values. Recognize what is important in the long run, and live accordingly. Tip: Learn to say “no.”
• Breathe. Take a few minutes each day to relax, breathe, and “just be.
• Feel. Find various ways to express your feelings by talking to friends and family, or engaging in creative projects. If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings, let someone know immediately.

• Stay connected to family and friends.
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Expand your social network by joining a community organization

• Pray or meditate each day.
• Give back to your community. Make the world a better place by contributing something positive.
• Be thankful for the blessings in your life, including the everyday simple pleasures.

Living in sync with values and living a balanced, prioritized life requires an honest look in the mirror and the willingness to answer some difficult questions. However, making time in your busy life to air out your “rooms” and strive for balance can reap priceless rewards. Consider the words of George Bernard Shaw: “Life is no brief candle to me. It’s a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

By Marilyn Massey-Stoakes,
EdD, CHES, Associate Professor, Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University

Mental & Emotional Health
www.stressrelease.com
www.apa.org
www.mentalhelp.net
www.coil.com/~grohol
www.gasou.edu/psychweb/resource/selfhelp.htm

Nutrition
www.nalusda.gov/fnic
www.hoptechno.com
www.ivillage.com

Wellness
www.emory.edu/medweb
www.nhic-nt.health.org
www.healthy.net
wellweb.com

Women’s Health
www.4woman.gov/owh
www.4women.org