The Weather Is Warmer… 4 Ways to Find Balance with Personal and Social Needs This Season
We love a good temperature rise. 75 and sunny? Yes please! Get me outside and surround me with others who love the sunshine and want to have a good time!
But with this wonderful warm weather comes the struggle with balancing it all: work, nutrition, exercise, sleep, social outings, home life. How can one possibly do it all?
If you’re struggling with the balancing act, try the following tips to help you set off this season without biting off more than you can chew but still having a fantastic time:
1) Hold true to your values and current priorities
While most of us know what we value, depending on the answer, priorities may change. For example, for some people social relationships and sleep are key. They may choose to see friends 4x during the work week and on weekends as well as sleeping 8 hours each night. The workouts may be shorter or combined with seeing friends. Others might choose to prioritize home life and work, deciding to go out less during the work week and finding joy in cooking dinner each night. There is no “right way” to prioritize, but rather each individual and family must determine a balance that is comfortable for them.
*The biggest take away from holding true to you is that in life people will all have different priorities. Just because yours is different from others, does not make it wrong or lesser than. Never let another guilt you or try and make you feel bad for how you choose to spend your time.
2) Set Realistic Goals
If you want to be going out and having fun, it’s likely not realistic to try “dry May” and give up all alcohol. While this is an exaggerated scenario, make sure you’re being realistic with what you can handle! Do you work 60 hour weeks? It’s probably not realistic to make social dates every night of the week. Often, biting off more than we can chew leaves us feeling anxious, guilty, and out of control. Instead, look at your week’s schedule. If you commit to 2x a week going out and already have two dates, you might be better off rescheduling the third to the following.
3) Manage Your Time Well
You have work until 5pm, get home at 5:30 and have dinner with friends at 6:30. That means you have 45 minutes at home before you have to leave and meet them. Trying to prioritize some strength workouts too? Rather than scrolling on instagram or watching TV, squeeze in a 30 minute barre class, do a quick change, and go meet the group! Alternatively, if you’re lacking sleep, take a power nap! Frequently, there are pockets of time that can be used to your advantage as long as you plan ahead and manage your time well.
4) Take Care of Yourself: Be Mindful
You are the most important person. Often times, we can feel like we’re being pulled in all sorts of directions. We want to say yes to everyone and keep them happy. While it can be challenging to eat healthily, find time for exercise, get adequate sleep, and squeeze in a few minutes of you time, a small investment in these areas can make a big impact. If you’re feeling your batteries are running low, be mindful of what you need. Opting for a night home of yoga, a book, and an early bed time may be better, even if you had plans to go to that new hot restaurant.
At the end of the day, balance comes from being mindful of your body’s needs, setting realistic expectations, managing your time, and holding true to your priorities. You deserve to have a fun-filled, lower-stress season, whatever that means to YOU!