Healthy You:
A Life
Well-Balanced
by Kim Jones,
Cary Medical Center
We are, in many ways, a society out of balance. And not
just in trivial ways. I’m talking about behaviors that can
significantly affect our quality of life and the lives of those
around us. Allow me to dazzle you with some statistics to
support this claim:
These statistics paint a bleak picture of our current culture.
From this data, one could assume that people in the United
States are overworked, stressed out, unable to maintain
meaningful relationships, overeating, under exercising, and
just plain unhappy. Now this, of course, doesn’t apply to
everyone all the time. I’ve worked many 60-hour weeks
Americans log the most on-the-job hours of any other without having my life fall apart. And I’m pretty sure I’m
industrialized nation with 86 percent of males and 67 not the only one who socializes with family and friends
percent of females working more than 40 hours per week. while watching TV before nodding off for a restful eight
(20somethingfinance.com, 2010)
hours of sleep.
Among industrialized countries, United States workers have However, what these findings do seem to reveal is that,
the fewest number of paid vacation days and holiday time collectively, we are a society teetering on the edge of
off. (The Washington Post, 2010)
harmony. Whether you are in complete turmoil or just
slightly askew, research indicates that the majority of
70 percent of working Americans are not happy with their Americans have unbalanced lives. Fortunately, this is not
jobs, including feeling unfulfilled, uninspired, and not a permanent condition. The following are some simple
reaching their full potential. (2013 Gallup study)
techniques you can use to help achieve physical, mental,
social, spiritual, and emotional equilibrium. Experts agree
90 percent of American mothers and 95 percent of American that doing so usually leads to being healthier, happier, and
fathers report the pressures of work negatively impact their more effective.
family. (Center for American Progress, 2013)
1. Slow down. In today’s hustle and bustle world, many
When it comes to leisure, Americans spend nearly f
of us don’t slow down long enough to give any thought to
our times more minutes watching television than socializing what we really want. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn
with family and friends. (U.S. Bureau of Labor and into years at a seemingly frantic pace as we try to squeeze
Statistics, 2012)
in everything we have to do as a parent, student, friend,
employee, homeowner, etc. Balance isn’t about getting it
Approximately half of American marriages end in divorce. all done. It’s an ongoing, ever-evolving process in which
Year after year, the U.S. consistently lands among the top we strive to even out what we have to do with what we
five countries in the world with the highest divorce rates. want to do. Make it a habit to carve out time to assess your
(The Huffington Post, 2012)
life, define what success looks like to you, and think about
what would truly make you happy based on personal goals,
Americans are among the world’s most sleep deprived, values, and priorities. Just knowing this is half the battle.
with more than half of U.S. citizens getting less than the
recommended minimum seven hours of sleep per night. 2. You can’t do it (or have it) all. On your road to balance
(National Sleep Foundation, 2013)
nirvana, be prepared to say that simple sentence repeatedly...
and repeatedly…and repeatedly. Uttering these words
On any given day, only about five percent of Americans doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Quite the contrary. This
report doing any vigorous physical activity. (American statement gives you control and focus – key ingredients for
Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2010)
living a balanced life. Resist getting caught up in today’s
I want it all and I want it now mentality. Take charge of
Two out of every three Americans are considered overweight your life so that others aren’t constantly pulling you in a
or obese. (CNN Health 2010)
thousand directions. You can still be an exceptional family
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