In our fast-paced world that loves glamorising the ‘hustle’ or the ‘grind’ of working 24/7, finding a balance between work and play can feel like an impossible or unsustainable dream. But it’s actually the constant working that is the unsustainable option. Achieving an equilibrium of both work and play in our lives is crucial for our wellbeing and overall satisfaction in life – and it’s not impossible!
Both rest and adventure play pivotal roles in this delicate balance, offering essential recovery and enjoyment time for both our body and soul. In this blog, I want to delve into why work-life balance is important, why it can be challenging (but 100% possible) to attain, and why we absolutely need it to stay physically and mentally healthy.
The importance of rest and adventure
Rest is often considered a luxury in many of our lives but it isn’t. It’s a necessity for our physical and mental health. It allows our bodies to recharge, repair, and rejuvenate. Similarly, adventure brings excitement to our lives and breaks the monotony of our daily cycles, which can jumpstart our happy hormones and help us feel more fulfilled. Both rest and adventure are essential ingredients for a fulfilling life, offering us moments of joy, growth, and reflection.
Why we need balance
Without balance, we place ourselves at risk of burnout, diminished creativity, and a decreased quality of life. Neglecting rest can give us chronic stress and fatigue, taking a toll on our physical health and leading to a number of health issues such as heart disease, depression, and anxiety. Overlooking our need for adventure can leave us feeling stagnant and uninspired, lacking the excitement that makes life truly fulfilling.
Here are some top tips for finding that balance in your life:
Get outside
Nature has a remarkable ability to heal and restore. Try to set aside time in your schedule to immerse yourself in the outdoors regularly. Whether it’s a stroll in the local park, a trip to the beach, or a challenging hike in the mountains, connecting with nature can provide much-needed physical and mental health benefits.
Be brutally honest with yourself
Self-awareness is key to finding balance. This does not mean you should be overly critical of yourself, many of us already do that anyway. Instead, practice self-awareness in the form of taking a regular inventory of your priorities, values, and needs. Be honest about what brings you joy and fulfilment, and make adjustments accordingly. This may involve reevaluating your commitments, habits, and goals.
Let go of outside pressures
It’s easier said than done, but balance comes from releasing the pressure of living up to external expectations and societal standards. Instead, focus on being authentically yourself. Embrace your imperfections, celebrate your strengths, and prioritise what truly matters to you. Remember, you are enough just as you are.
Why it can be hard to achieve
The modern world glorifies busyness, often equating it with productivity and success. For some people, this can seep into their moral judgements of both themselves and others, thinking that more productive people are “better” than people who take more time to prioritise themselves, or that being less productive than what is expected makes you a “bad” person. As a result, many of us find ourselves trapped in a cycle of overworking, neglecting what we truly need in life, and forgetting to take time for rest and adventure. Even outside of work, the fear of missing out (a.k.a. the dreaded FOMO) and societal pressures can make it challenging to prioritise self-care and leisure activities.
Align your goals with your boundaries
Learning to set boundaries and prioritise self-care is one of the best things you can do. It doesn’t mean to say no to everything and lock yourself away! Say yes to opportunities that align with your values, passions, and goals – opportunities that make you feel excited or give you a chance to grow. But don’t be scared to say no to commitments that drain your energy; this is one of the biggest acts of self-love you can do. Remember, it’s okay to prioritise your well-being.
Get out of your comfort zone
Growth often lies beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. If life is starting to seem like a never-ending cycle of working, eating, and sleeping that no longer brings joy, try to embrace new experiences, take calculated risks, and challenge yourself to do things that scare you. Stepping outside of familiar territory can help develop your sense of self, as well as more adaptability and resilience.
Finding the balance between work and play is not always easy, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. By prioritising self-care, setting healthy personal boundaries, embracing new experiences outside our comfort zone, cultivating self-awareness, and recognising our authentic selves, we can achieve a life that is more fulfilling and brings us more excitement and joy. So, go ahead, take that much-needed break, embark on that exciting adventure, and discover the incredible reality of living a balanced life.
