Your Holistic 5-Step Guide to a Balanced Life
Burnout can feel like quite an unwelcome guest when you’re doing well at work, socializing like a butterfly, and nailing your to-do list.
But what if I told you that feeling out of balance isn't a roadblock, it's a nudge – a gentle (or not-so-gentle) reminder that you need to take care of yourself.
Burnout is your body’s way of reminding you that your health and wellbeing must be your top priority.
Read on to explore five transformative steps to heal from burnout and get you started on your path toward a more balanced life.
1. NOURISH YOUR BODY
This is a big one, so I’ve broken it down into three parts:
Eat whole, nutrient-dense, delicious foods. Nutritious foods provide us with the nutrients our bodies and minds crave. I know, spending time cooking healthy food is probably the last thing you want to do when stress and anxiety are on the rise. When life gets overwhelming, we crave ease!
The good news is that a nutritious diet can be simple:
Start by shopping smart. Focus on the perimeter of the grocery store: fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats (like avocado and olive oil), and lean proteins (like chicken and fish).
Ditch the processed snacks. Embrace delicious nutrient-dense alternatives, like dark chocolate, dried fruit, and whole grain crackers with cheese. The joy is just as important as the nutrients!
Save time by planning ahead. This can be simple — for example, by making a nutritious grocery list, prepping ingredients, or simply making extra of whatever you’re cooking to save for lunch tomorrow.
Work with a holistic nutritionist. They can provide you with an individualized nutrient-dense meal plan, tools, practical strategies, and expert advice tailored to your unique lifestyle.
Break free from the stress-diet cycle by choosing deeply nourishing foods.
Move your body in ways that bring you joy daily. How you move your body is just as important as what you eat. If you’ve felt your work anxieties evaporate after an evening run, you know what I’m talking about! And the beauty is that it doesn’t have to be “exercise.”
Dance like no one’s watching
Stretch in ways that feel good in your body
Take a bike ride along the coast and breathe in the ocean air
Find a meadow and literally stop to smell the wildflowers
Moving in ways that bring you genuine joy lights up your body, mind, and soul.
Give yourself permission and space to rest, recover, and heal. This one is my personal favorite and absolutely key: the secret to finding balance is doing less. This one can be the most challenging step for those of us with are driven to excel. At the same time, it can create the most profound change in your life!
Resting deeply means giving yourself permission to pause, do absolutely nothing, and revel in it. The more you do it, the easier it will get. Remember when I mentioned stopping to smell the wildflowers? Yeah, there’s a lot of that going on in this step.
Spend time in the sun
Go to the beach and lie down on the sand
Plant a garden and watch it grow
Read a book just for fun
This is where the deep healing really starts to happen.
2. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS
One of my favorite ways to fall back into balance is by setting aside moments for mindfulness. Usually, when we think of mindfulness, our mind jumps straight to meditation — which is accurate — and it can also be so much more than that!
Mindfulness is simply the practice of staying fully present in the moment without judgment or distraction. It involves being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
Taking even just a few minutes every day to check in with yourself can make a big difference.
Simply take a few deep breaths
Eat slowly and savor each bite
Journal your thoughts and feelings
Scan your body and notice any areas of tension
Mindfulness can reduce stress, boost energy, and promote a clearer, calmer state of mind. These small moments of self-care can have a profound impact on your overall sense of balance and wellbeing.
3. EMBRACE NATURE
Who else misses the world before screens? Spending time in nature truly helps us recharge our batteries, reconnect with ourselves, and find a grounding respite from modern life.
Not only is being in nature deeply calming to our nervous system, it can also help connect us to our inner child. And you don’t have to venture deep into the wilderness to do it!
Step out your front door and take a stroll around the block
Find a nearby trail and immerse yourself in the fresh air
Observe the tree and plant friends all around you
Kick off your shoes at a nearby beach and let the waves soothe you
Nature, in its many forms, has a remarkable ability to ground us, melt away stress, and remind us of life's simple wonders.
4. CONNECT WITH LOVED ONES
Building meaningful connections is essential for us to feel balanced in life. We're wired to connect and share laughter, stories, experiences, and challenges with those who are close to us. Deep relationships can provide you with a sense of support, understanding, belonging, and resilience.
So make time for heart-to-hearts:
Host a dinner party with your favorite humans
Call that person you’ve been missing
Chat with a friend over a cup of coffee
Take a spontaneous adventure with someone
Connecting and unwinding with loved ones is one of the best ways to ease into balance.
5. FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS
Have you ever felt the exhilaration of doing something you absolutely love? Exploring activities that bring you joy has endless benefits – from releasing feel-good neurochemicals to enhancing cognitive function and promoting personal growth. So don’t dismiss hobbies as just a way to pass extra time. They are a powerful tool to recover from burnout and bring more balance into your life.
Do whatever lights you up:
Bake muffins
Paint with watercolors
Learn how to play the banjo
Join a community sports team
This is your unique and personal antidote to burnout. So sprinkle a little hobby magic and infuse your life with creativity, play, and an all-important break from routine.
Summary
It’s easy for balance to get lost in the whirlwind of modern life. These five steps are here to guide you back toward a more balanced life.
So remember to nourish your body, practice mindfulness, embrace nature, connect with loved ones, and follow your passions.
Most importantly: always listen to your body when it sends you signals.
If you’re ready to explore the deeper layers of your holistic health, I invite you to join Holistic Balance, a virtual program I designed to walk you the five pillars of women’s health — empowering you to nourish your body, create a movement practice you love, prioritize restful sleep, reduce stress through mindfulness, and embrace non-toxic clean living practices.
You'll learn how to naturally heal the root cause of your symptoms through nutrition, lifestyle, and natural remedies.
