5 Ingredients for Work Life Balance from the 5 Ingredients for Healthy Living Cookbook

Work life balance does not mean equal balance. If you try to schedule an equal number of hours to work and play you will end up frustrated and even more overwhelmed. The “right balance” today will be different for you tomorrow. You can define your own balance. There is no one perfect size fits all for balance but rather a blend of doing what you love with people you love in creating a life that works just for you. To get you started:

1.Commit to invest in you 15 minutes a day

Intentionally take the “me” time. Stretch your time with a conscious choice to focus on you.

2. Schedule your priorities

Identify your values. “My top 3 priorities today are?” Take one action for each value. Schedule your priorities not prioritize your schedule.

3 .Take time for your health

Take charge! It’s energizing! .Physical activity makes you feel alive and in charge. Schedule exercise and make it the same priority that you would give to a work meeting. Food is a key to balanced life. Have healthy foods in your house. Be proactive not reactive.

4. Create an environment to support you

Will power? Will power is won’t power. Environment is stronger than will. Surround yourself with people who support and don’t judge and things you love and enjoy. De- clutter. “Less is more.”

5. Give up perfection

The urge to be perfect adds stress to your overwhelming life. What does perfect mean, why is it important or . . . maybe not so important? Give up your idea of perfection and you discover something you enjoy more. The “more” is life balance.

See more in the cookbook!