I’ve been thinking a lot about finding balance in life lately. So I was excited when I found a video clip the other day where Professor Philip Zimbardo talks a little about how we spend our time.
Toward the end there is a part where the speaker discusses a study on how busy Americans say they are—very busy. In fact, they regularly give up time with friends, family, and lose sleep they are so busy.
The study participants were then asked what they would do if they had another day added to their week. Researchers found that participants would just fill that day up with more work and responsibilities—like any other day—and not take time out for family, friends, or get more sleep.
I guess I can totally see myself as one of the people in the study because I tend to hyper focus on a task until it is finished. This has benefits, but it also has consequences such as neglecting your relationships with your family and friends and not taking very good care of your health.
After watching this video, I also realized that it’s not so much about “finding” balance in life as “creating” balance. It’s a choice. Because, even if we add more time to the week, there will always be something else clamoring for our attention.
Here are a few things I’m working on to create more balance:
1. Shutting the laptop down at 9 p.m. each night
2. Going for a walk in the afternoons
3. Trying to be more present. Not worrying about the future, and not fretting over the past, but enjoying the moment for what it is
4. Scheduling time to spend with family each week
5. Making my bed everyday
It’s a small list, but I’ve noticed that I’m much happier when I stop what I’m doing and fit these simple things back into my life.
What do you think? How do you prioritize what’s important or add more balance into your life? What’s the work/life balance where you live?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am working on finding balance too and your list has given me some good ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for commenting Tiffany! I’m glad to hear that.
i find that the first thing i stop doing when i’m pressed for time or feeling overscheduled is drop of the blogging grid. i don’t post (unless i have a scheduled review) and i don’t comment. though i love blogging, it isn’t as important as my family or friends.
i love your list–making your bed makes a big difference.
Thanks Nat! I think that is true. My blog is also the first thing to suffer when I get over scheduled. Well…that and cleaning the house. It really is surprising though how much better I do when I just make the bed for the day. I seem to get so much more done.