How to Have a Balanced Life

Co-authored by Colleen Campbell, PhD, PCC

Last Updated: March 1, 2023 References

Finding balance in life can bring a sense of fulfillment and meaning. Use strategies to help you gain balance and perspective in how you’re living your life such as prioritizing your time, making compromises, and being optimistic. Engage in activities that are healthy and beneficial to you and that add meaning to your life. Start or continue a hobby, find meaningful work, take care of your body, and cope with daily stress. Above all, make time for people and activities that are meaningful to you. Enjoy time with family and friends and find meaningful ways to connect to those you love.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Creating a Sense of Balance

1
Maintain a schedule. One way to ensure a balanced life is to schedule your time. If you’re spending all of your time at work or most of your free time doing one activity, it’s hard to maintain balance in all areas of your life. A schedule can help you to balance your time in various areas that are important to you. Maintaining a schedule can help you accomplish goals and create balance in how you spend your time.^{[1]
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- For example, write a schedule based on your priorities each week. You may work a set amount of hours each week, but spend your after-work time with family, friends, and meaningful activities. Participate in a weekly bowling league, schedule regular dinners with your spouse, and plan time for your kids.
- Think about what activities you have to do, enjoy doing, and want to do. Then, try ranking these activities in order of their importance to you and then assign an appropriate amount of time to each activity.
2
Make compromises. You rarely can “have it all,” so compromises are necessary to keep yourself (and those around you) happy. It can be hard to balance your own life, but if you have a partner or spouse, children, extended family and friends, you must also consider their needs alongside your own. However, whatever you deem to be balanced may come at its own costs. For example, if you want to focus more on family and less on work, this can affect your job opportunities and income. Decide your goals and primary focus and know that you will likely make compromises along the way.^{[2]
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- For example, if you’re a student, you may make compromises for your studies that reduce spending time with friends and having fun, at least for a time. These compromises may be difficult, but can help you attain a job later.
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3
Think positively. Your thinking can shape how you perceive each day and situation. Maintain a positive approach to life and the changes that come across your path. Reduce your negative self-talk such as, “I can’t do that” or, “They would never pick me” and focus on positive things about yourself or situations. If you have a tendency to expect the worst, find things that can go well and how to prevent bad things from occurring.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- For example, you may fear the worst if you fail an exam. Say to yourself, “I’ll be disappointed if I do poorly. However, I know that I can take more exams and bring the grade up later.”
- If you start thinking, “This presentation is going to be awful” or, “I can’t believe I messed up so much,” take a step back and focus on the positives. Say to yourself, “I’ve worked really hard so there’s no reason for things to go badly” or, “Even if I messed up, it doesn’t mean I’m a failure. I can try again and do better.”
- Surround yourself with supportive people as well to help yourself stay positive. Try to spend your free time with people who are positive and supportive, and limit your time with people who are negative or critical.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Keeping a Balanced Lifestyle

1
Have hobbies. Make regular time for activities that you enjoy. Whether you enjoy hiking, stargazing, playing piano, or woodworking, set aside time to engage in fun activities. Having a hobby is one way to feel fulfilled and create a sense of meaning in your life.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source} Make time during your week to engage in your hobby so that it’s something to look forward to in your schedule.
- Engaging in a hobby is also a great way to make friends and meet others who have similar interests with you.
- If you don’t have a hobby, think of something that interests you that you’d like to try. Maybe you’d like to pick up ice skating or karate or knitting.
2
Spend time with family and friends. It’s important to make time for people you care about. Even when you are busy or stressed, make time to hang out with your friends and family. Friendships can help you lower stress and increase your overall sense of well-being.
- Make time for your friends, even when you’re busy. A once-a-month volleyball night or karaoke night can help you connect with others and have a great time.
- Stay connected with your family. Whether you have children or are near your extended family, make time for the meaningful relationships in your life. Plan activities around holidays such as meals or game nights.
3
Relax. Daily relaxation is a healthy outlet for stress. Practicing relaxation for 30 minutes each day can help you stabilize your moods and cope with stress more effectively..^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source} Instead of letting daily frustrations build over time, relaxation helps you to cope with problems on a regular basis and encourages you to feel calm and centered.
4
Find adequate employment. Find a job that meets your needs on multiple levels.^{[6]
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Research source} This may include having fulfilling work you enjoy, contributing to or creating something meaningful, or having a job that meets your needs and your family’s needs. Think about what needs your job fulfills for you, and whether you want to work there long-term. If you enjoy your job yet you don’t get paid what you need or are required to often work overtime, consider if this job contributes to a balanced life. Keep your work life in balance by finding enjoyment at your workplace and keeping work and other events separate.
- Think of all of the things you want from a job and rank them in order of importance to help guide your search and decision making. Focus on what you really value, as well as what makes you feel excited and engaged. Then, try to think of what careers might suit you based on that.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Dawn Smith-Camacho
  Career & Life Coach
  Expert Interview. 13 May 2020.}
- Work-life balance is different for everyone. The important thing is figuring out what works for you.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Colleen Campbell, PhD, PCC
  Career & Life Coach
  Expert Interview. 28 March 2019.}
- Leave work at work. This may mean leaving your laptop at your desk and not bringing it home or disconnecting emotionally from difficult situations that happen at your workplace. Don’t dwell on office disputes or “bad days” at the office.
- If your job feels unbalanced in your life, make some changes. You can discuss adjusting your hours, increasing your pay, or transferring to a different department or another job. If this make you anxious, then you may want to work on some assertiveness training. You can do this on your own, such as by reading books or rehearsing what you will say with a friend, or you can work on becoming more assertive with the help of a therapist.
5
Connect with spirituality. Whether you are religious or not, a meaningful spiritual practice can contribute positively to life. This can include prayer, meditation, spending time outside, or engaging in or creating a spiritual practice of your own. Connect with others who share similar beliefs with you as a way to build community and practice together.^{[9]
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- If you’re not sure how you connect with spirituality, explore different paths and find one that you connect with well. Check out a church, synagogue, mosque, meditation center, or read spiritually-oriented books. Talk to others who have a spiritual practice and ask them how it contributes to their lives.
6
Develop patience: Patience is a great virtue one should have in life. Things take time to complete and patience come handy in these times. If we aren't patient enough, we won't be able to see the big picture and can't oversee the future or good things on the way. Relax and work patiently on the tasks in your hand. Take time to appreciate and analyse the situation, context and work hard to achieve your goals. Patience must not be mistaken with laziness. Laziness if negative while patience is something of great value.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Physical Health

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Get good sleep. Sleep can affect your productivity at work, irritability and mood, and how sharp your mind feels. If you have trouble sleeping, consider sticking to a sleep schedule where you go to bed and wake up at the same time, even on the weekends. Have a bedtime ritual that helps you feel calm and relaxed. This can include minimizing screen time, taking a bath, meditating, or reading. Make your bedroom comfortable and restful, and make sure your mattress and pillows suit your needs.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you tend to let your mind run free at night, calm your thoughts. Remind yourself that you can address problems in the morning and allow your mind to disengage from worries and stresses. Try jotting down what is bothering you and then you can rest assured that you won’t forget it. Keep a pen and notepad by your bed so that you can do this.
2
Keep your body fit. Exercise and physical activity can help your body feel good and age well. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your mental health and mood.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Motivate yourself by doing classes or activities you find fun or working out with a friend. Do something aerobic such as running, biking, dancing, or walking briskly, depending on your ability level. Include strength training in your routine by lifting weights, or doing body weight exercises like push-ups and sit-ups.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- If you’re starting a fitness or exercise program, speak with your physician prior to starting to make sure you are healthy enough to participate. Start slowly and work your way toward more intensity.
3
Eat nutritious foods. While lots of convenience foods are at your disposal, make an effort to eat healthy and nourishing meals. For example, make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Incorporate whole grains into your diet such as brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, and oats. Eat lean proteins such as peas, nuts, eggs, and beans. Replace sugary drinks like sodas with water.^{[13]
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Research source} If drinking water bores you, add some cucumbers, fruit, or lime juice for a little natural flavor.
- If the thought of eating more veggies annoys you, find simple ways to add them to your meals. For example, micro chop veggies and add them to pasta, enchiladas, or dipping sauce.
- If you don’t enjoy salads, a daily smoothie can help you consume fruit and can help hide greens. Grab a handful of spinach and mix it with your smoothie. While it will likely change the color, it shouldn’t affect the taste. Add a scoop of pea protein for a sustained energy boost!
- Make sure to work meal planning and grocery shopping into your schedule every week.
4
Avoid addiction. Addictions such as tobacco, caffeine, overeating, gambling, shopping, excessive social media use, drugs, and alcohol can all take a major toll on your overall health and well-being. If you think you have an addiction, seek treatment. Any addiction can cause problems with family and friends, at work, in your body, and in your personal life. Even if you’re not addicted, drinking too much alcohol can cause physical and emotional problems, especially over time.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Go Ask Alice
Medical advice site with content written by health promotion specialists affiliated with Columbia University
Go to source}
- If you have an addiction, seek treatment. See a counselor or therapist or enroll in an addiction program.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What are the elements of a balanced life?

Alyson Garrido, PCC
Career Coach
Alyson Garrido is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Facilitator, and Speaker. Using a strengths-based approach, she supports her clients with job search and career advancement. Alyson provides coaching for career direction, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and performance reviews as well as customized communication and leadership strategies. She is a Founding Partner of the Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand.

Alyson Garrido, PCC

Career Coach

Expert Answer

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Set boundaries between your work life and your personal life so you don't get overly stressed.
Question

How can a student have balanced life?

Dawn Smith-Camacho
Career & Life Coach
Dawn Smith-Camacho is the Owner of Whole Life Solutions, a business in which Dawn provides professional speaking on effective decision-making and navigating major changes for entrepreneurs and employees. She also supports individual coaching clients by identifying their core values, managing time, prioritizing, and honing in on their ideal path. Her clients include Vistage, UNICEF, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA), NACE, and Oracle.

Dawn Smith-Camacho

Career & Life Coach

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Find a practice that you enjoy and stick with it. Try daily yoga, qi gong, tai chi, and meditation. Over time, these can actually help you develop a more positive mindset. Also, if there's something about yourself you want to improve, set positive goals to help yourself accomplish that. For instance, instead of saying, "I'm not motivated enough," you might say, "Tomorrow I'm going to spend 5 minutes clearing off my desk before work so I can get my day off to a good start."
Question

What does it mean to have work-life balance?

Colleen Campbell, PhD, PCC
Career & Life Coach
Dr. Colleen Campbell is the Founder and CEO of The Ignite Your Potential Centers, Career and Life Coaching based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Colleen is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Colleen received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Sofia University and has been career coaching since 2008.

Colleen Campbell, PhD, PCC

Career & Life Coach

Expert Answer

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It really depends on the person. Some people have more professional drive, while some people really enjoy doing things outside of work. It’s something that each person has to think about individually and decide for themselves.