Balance = FUN
May 15, 2008
Often when you read about health and wellness, you read about 'balance.' But what does 'balance' really mean?
My favourite Funk & Wagnall's definition of balance is, "Harmonious proportion, as in the design or arrangement of parts in a whole."
In other words, staying well is about keeping a balance in all parts of what makes YOU - taking care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. One easy prescription for reaching this balance is FUN. Today, I share some easy tips for putting more fun - and balance - into your life.
Laugh!
Laughter is good for us. It helps to reduce our stress and anxiety and to keep us well.
If you aren't laughing much these days, you need to actively search for more funny in your life. Go to Yuk Yuks, rent a DVD of your favourite comedian, watch Funniest Home Videos or Just for Laughs - whatever it takes to get you giggling.
And try to spend more time with those who know how to laugh. Laughter is contagious, after all!
Play! Anyone who thinks play is just for children is missing out - we have as much to gain from play as youngsters do. Playtime helps us to relax, let go of our worries and have a little fun.
Play is also good for us because it usually involves interacting with others and physical activity. So get off your butt and join that dodge ball game, jump that hopscotch or start up a game of charades.
Hug!
Human contact is vital to the healthy development of babies and children - and that need doesn't go away as we get older. Physical contact can calm us, make us feel better and strengthen our relationships. It is one of the most basic human needs. Have you had your hug today?
Create!
Regardless of the art or craft, creating helps us to relax and focus while also giving us a sense of mastery and accomplishment. What you create is up to you - the sky is the limit. (Don't worry; it doesn't have to be a masterpiece, as long as it brings you peace.)
Dance!
Music has an incredible capacity to lift our spirits. Regardless of our personal tastes, music can calm us, inspire us or get us moving. As they say on Vinyl Tap, "Dance like noone's watching! Sing like noone's listening." Music IS joy.
Embrace the fuzzy!
Pets bring much to our lives. The simple act of stroking a cat or dog brings down our blood pressure and calms anxiety. The creatures in our lives also give us many opportunities to laugh, play and wonder - and get us moving to boot.
Embrace the littles!
Children have a wonderful power to show us what really matters in life. If you take the time to really experience the perspective of a child, your soul will be treated with endless wonder, joy, curiosity and fun.
Now get out there right now and have some FUN!
Extras for Our Online Readers
To read more about how these strategies are good for us, check out the links below.
Laugh
Play
Hug
Create
Dance / music
Embrace the fuzzy
What is Take Care?
"Health and wellness" is one of those phrases that, while popular, is becoming a bit of a cliché these days. While overused, "health and wellness" is often misunderstood and can have different meanings for different people.
I like to simplify things. So rather than calling this just a "health and wellness column," I have decided to call it, Take Care. I have chosen Take Care because that is what I will be writing about - how you can take care of yourself.
Don't worry. I won't be throwing facts and statistics at you - although I may occasionally share the title of a great book or the link to an awesome website. Neither do I claim to be a great guru with all of life's answers. What I can offer is the experience that I have gained from 43 years as a human being, 20 years in human services and almost a decade of living with chronic illness.
Let's face it; we live in a crazy world these days. We are constantly barraged by the demands on our time, attention and energy. Many of us are working full-time, managing a home, raising children and taking care of our parents … in some cases even our grandparents (or grandchildren…). We never seem to get away from the ringing of cell phones, the beeping of text messages and the growing pile of email messages in our inboxes - not to mention the old fashioned paper way of communicating.
Just when we think we are on top of it all, we decide to do something crazy like take a vacation … and we have to work twice as hard to get ready before we go away and three times as hard to catch up when we get back.
The body isn't made to be under constant stress. Constant stress leads to physical changes in the body and the mind that can contribute to serious illness. So don't tell me you can't afford the time to take care of yourself because I'll tell you that you can't afford NOT to take care.
Think of "Take Care" as a place to start … a place to start thinking about some very basic ways that you can take better care of yourself.
Why not start by visiting our website each month and reading this column?
Take care,
Kristin
About the author
Kristin has two decades of experience in the not-for-profit and social services sector, ten of those years spent running her own business - KDM Program & Management Services. Through KDM, Kristin provides contract, short-term and recurring program and management support to the not-for-profit sector. Services include - but are not limited to - public relations and marketing, website planning and content development, proposal writing, program evaluation and development, and project management and coordination. To reach Kristin, click here.
Copyright
The column, Take Care, and its contents are copyright, Kristin Duare McKinnon, all rights reserved. You may download, display, print and / or reproduce this material in single, unaltered form only - retaining copyright notice and author information - for your personal, non-commercial use. You must not change any of the material or remove any part of the article or notices that follow. For further information or to use the information contained in any Take Care column outside of the parameters indicated here, please contact Kristin.
Disclaimers
The information provided in the Take Care column is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any personal medical and health questions that you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or any other website.
We have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in the Take Care column is accurate and up-to-date. To the extent permitted by law, Kristin Duare McKinnon and Community Living Kawartha Lakes accept no liability for any injury, loss or damage caused by reliance on any part of this information.
Please also read our external website disclaimer.
