The Key to Balance: Some (Mostly) Healthy Daily Habits
I’ll admit it. I live for burgers, tacos, and anything chocolate, despite my yoga-loving ways.
However, I’m a big believer in moderation. I was raised by smart parents who taught me the importance of living a balanced life.
Essentially: work, play, relax, spend time alone, and don’t overdo any one thing.
I still take that to heart daily, and when I take a look at the big picture of my life, I think I’m doing a pretty decent job.
To encourage healthy living on a regular basis, I do a few things:
Morning routing– Drink 32 oz of water, followed by toast with local honey and 1 tsp of bee pollen, and a cup of tea. I enjoy a long leisurely morning most days, but when I have to be in the classroom, I take the same breakfast to go.
I normally do 5 basic yoga poses for 5-10 minutes before I have breakfast. My favorites are downward dog and chaturanga (although I’m not sure I’m necessarily good at either of those).
I also try to get in a few hours of work for my online classes most mornings, followed by some reading (I basically just read teaching and psychology books, so it’s kind of nerdy, but I really enjoy it).
Afternoon– Drink 32 oz of water, followed by a lunch of whatever I can find in the fridge or pantry (I gave up cooking long ago):
Thai food
Amy’s Macaroni and Cheese (it’s organic)
Maybe leftover pizza (don’t judge)
Always dark chocolate (I eat dark chocolate all day long, ask anyone)
If I need an energy pick-me-up during the day, sometimes I’ll eat Aloha’s Breakfast Chia Seed Pudding with or without the chocolate (see more of Aloha’s nutritious ideas in the Recipe Center!). The chia seeds are such a nice, natural way to recharge (blame my knowledge of health foods on my awesome, earthy mother-in-law).
If it’s nice weather, I also make it a point to spend at least an hour or 2 outside, usually in a hammock reading, or I’ll meet a friend or family member at a coffee shop.
Evening– Drink 32 oz of water (sensing a pattern yet?), work for a few more hours (full disclosure here: unfortunately, I’m almost always thinking about my job, but it seems to work for me), then around 7 pm I typically walk to a restaurant or coffee shop with my husband, or jog over to the gym to meet up with my sister.
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When I look at my typical weekday outlined like this, I notice that balance is always part of my morning, afternoon, and evening. It makes me happy to see that. Sometimes you can deceive yourself into thinking you’re on the right path when you’ve veered off long ago.
Of course, there are days when I work too hard, or stay indoors when the sun is shining, but for the most part I’m very purposeful with my time, and balance has always been priority number one in my life.
I encourage you to make an outline of your day (mentally or otherwise), and re-prioritize if need be.
How can you incorporate a little more balance into your own life?
Happy living, and (as always) happy teaching!
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