What does it really mean to live a balanced lifestyle? From a holistic perspective, it indicates that you are giving positive attention to your physical body, mental body, your emotional state and spirituality. Every aspect of your being is honored, fed and enhanced. At the end of each day, although you may be physically tired, you aren’t exhausted or depleted, but rather fulfilled.

When you are out of balance you will definitely know it. You will experience varying levels of discomfort that negatively impact many or all areas of your life.

The body is very specific about the way in which it calls attention to our poor life choices. Smokers cough up their lungs, overeaters lug around extra weight leading to heart disease and diabetes. Alcohol abusers succumb to liver disease and stress addicts suffer from hypertension and migraines. Isn’t your body wonderful? Your physical vehicle on earth is begging for some tender loving care. If you fail to listen to the subtle initial symptoms, they will always become louder and more dramatic.

When your emotional body is out of balance you may develop depression, panic attacks, insomnia or feel like the whole world is out to get you. You start to think that a little gray cloud is following you around and raining on your parade.

Mental imbalance may produce confusion, frustration, limiting beliefs and poor decision making. An individual who struggles throughout the day with a head full of negative thought patterns will perpetuate loss and suffering. The most basic philosophy states that we manifest whatever we think about. If I think I am inferior and doomed to fail then of course I will. Positive thinking is still one of the most essential ingredients to overall well-being.

The fourth area of consideration is the one we categorize as spiritual in nature. For some people it would be departure from deeply held religious or spiritual beliefs and for others it would be that they are distanced from their honored connection with nature. The problematic symptoms that most often categorize being spiritually bankrupt is a sense of isolation, loneliness and hopelessness.

I once suffered from several symptoms related to the “I’m worrying myself to death” lifestyle. I developed migraines, insomnia, panic attacks and depression. I was a walking sick person. Being an overachiever, workaholic and caregiver drove me nuts and wore me out. My body, mind and soul yearned for physical health, peace of mind and self love. Fortunately, the pain motivated me to wake up and see the dead end path I was on.

I began healing once I decided that I was worth the effort it would take to change my thoughts and behaviors. In every book I read and class I took on living in balance there were a few necessary patterns that I had to incorporate into my daily routine. My personal lifesaving plan is very simple:

• Fuel your body with foods and supplements that produce energy and maintain a healthy weight. Drink water.
  
• Tone and firm your body. You always have time for some kind of physical activity. Stretch and tone in front of the TV if nothing else.
  
• Use prayer, meditation or nature to quiet your mind and feel inner strength, connecting to a Power greater than you. The hawk soaring in front of my window at this moment never doubts his importance.
  
• Participate in active learning everyday. Read or play board games, cards or engage in stimulating conversation to maintain mental health. Take classes and listen to motivational speakers.
  
• Make sure that your emotional needs are met. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you do not know how to give and receive love, get help. There are no victims in relationships, only people who fail to act on their own behalf.
  
  

You are important not only to your family and friends but to the rest of us. If your life choices result in negative symptoms, it is never too late to change. I choose to believe that we all have a grand and glorious life purpose and our special and unique talents were bestowed upon us to make the world a better place. As long as I am healthy, happy and prosperous, you won’t have to take of me.

(C) Copyright 2005, Pamela Harper