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Five Tips for Creating a Balanced Life From Meditation to Prioritizing — Here’s How You Can Achieve Balance
Veterinarians and veterinary students are busy, which can lead to feeling off-balance — mentally, physically and/or emotionally. The CVMA looks continually for valuable wellness programs and resources to offer members. GoodLife, a long-standing CVMA partner, is more than just a gym. They want to give you the tools to live a happy, healthy, and “good life” inside and outside of the gym. Below, GoodLife offers advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle in mind, body and spirit. Create a foundation When trying to strike a balance, it’s important to cover the basics first: nutrition, exercise and sleep. These areas are the key pillars of life you need to address before finding a healthy balance in every other area. You need to feel your best both physically and mentally, so creating healthy habits and sticking to them is the first step. There’s no need for perfection; simply strive to create an overall healthy lifestyle that works for you.
Recognize your priorities
Life can get busy from time to time. If you ever catch yourself feeling overwhelmed with everything you have on your plate, take a step back and re-emphasize what’s important to you. By understanding what’s most important to you, be it your personal fitness, spending time with your loved ones or participating in various activities, you can begin to prioritize what you need to focus on and what you don’t.
Reduce stress
Speaking of prioritizing, part of this is learning to say “no.” Ask yourself if you’re putting unnecessary expectations on yourself by committing to do too many things. If you’re over-worked and trying to balance your personal life as well as your other priorities, letting go and saying no to some of the smaller things can improve your mental state and stress level. Know where to put your energy. Doing this should take some pressure off, even if you don’t get around to the rest.
Schedule downtime
When seeking to find balance, try to leave some room for some much-needed down time. Everyone needs a day where they can do something for themselves, have a night to relax or to do something you love. Many busy people struggle with the concept of relaxing. However, if you take the time to schedule it, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Do what works for you — even if it’s simply taking half an hour a day to read a book or watch your favourite show. Stepping away from work and other obligations will help you feel less stressed and more refreshed.
Meditate
Adding a meditation practice to your day can also help you achieve balance. Meditation has many benefits, including improved focus, productivity, and stress level. A meditation practice doesn’t have to be time-consuming either — simply start your day off with a 5- to 10-minute guided meditation, which will help balance energy.
And, exercise
CVMA members are eligible for a preferred GoodLife membership rate and receive a corporate discount up to 43% off regular individual membership rates. To view the GoodLife flyer or FAQs or to join now, visit the CVMA membership benefit webpage at canadianveterinarians.net/member-benefits/exclusive-discounts-valued-partners. You will need your CVMA ID number to register. If you do not have or forgot your ID number or have additional questions, please contact the CVMA (admin@cvma-acmv.org).