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The Balanced-Being In many ways our individual health consists of a combination of physical, mental, and spirtual well being. The more we become aware of and care for all of these vital interdependent dimensions of our lives the more complete we will begin to feel. As we begin to think of our bodies as an integrated human system, we come to realize that like most systems, each of the individual parts is reliant on the other parts for it to work properly. We each should strive for a healthy balance between the Mind, Body and Spirit. 
| Health Through Balance  Everything In Moderation Because life is short, the temptation to overindulge is ever-present. We want to glean as much pleasure as possible from everything such as what we eat or what we do. Or, conversely, we are so driven to stay healthy or be successful that we throw ourselves into exercise or work with abandon. But the true means of achieving what you want lies not in overdoing it, but in moderation. A balanced life does not lean in one direction, but contains a measure of each element: work and play; friends, family, and solitude; pleasure and abstinence; and necessities and indulgences. The ancient Greeks practiced moderation in all things, believing that in excess, virtues became vices. And so it is. Things that benefit your body and soul in one amount, whether it is medication, nutrients, forethought, or introspection, can be harmful in higher amounts. Like the pinwheel guided by the energy created by the winds of nature, each spoke spins in harmony with the others.
The concept of moderation is embodied in the middle ground between all extremes and is thus a source of steadiness. It is simply the capacity to exercise self-control. Living moderately often means forgoing short-term pleasures in favor of deeper, long lasting happiness and considering all aspects of your actions. It also means never categorizing anything in terms of 'always good' or 'always bad.' Sleeping in for hours may seem a wonderful idea until you consider the daytime lost and the difficulty you may have sleeping later. Avoiding all sweets feels like the healthiest choice, but may not be if it's making you feel deprived. A strong sense of thrift can become stinginess just as a strong sense of generosity can become a tendency to spend beyond your means. The benefits of moderation are said to be a healthy body, a clear mind, increased vigor, and a welling up of positive emotions.
Moderation eschews rigid control in favor of allowing you just enough of any one thing for it to be satisfying, but not enough for it to be detrimental. Thus, it unlocks a healthy lifestyle without denying any pleasures, any ambitions, or your changing will, through equilibrium and equanimity in all things. Living a balanced life leads to rewarding experiences that not only heal and nurture, but can also fulfill you to a fantastic degree. | | Considerations For a Balanced Lifestyle Interested but still unsure about becoming a more "Balanced-Being? Consider some of the following: Inactive people are twice as likley to develop heart disease as active people. Affording yourself a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep daily helps reduce stress, aides healing and re-energizes you Choose a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and use sugars, salt and sodium in moderationWeight bearing exercisies are essential to maintaing of proper bone density and strengthLearn to accept the fact that there are many more things over which you have no control over which can still impact your life.Try to have a positive outlook on life and learn to forgive yourself.A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and type II diabetesRemember to celebrate your accomplishments.Eat a variety of foods daily which includes a sufficient amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grain productsStrength training builds the lean muscle tissue that burn calories, even when you are at rest.Fit people feel better, have more energy and have a better sense of self esteem.Involve yourself in charitable activities; there is much need and much to give.Openly discuss your problems with your family and friends. Never be afraid to ask for help and guidance.Try to resolve your life challenges intelligently, systematically and emtionally contained with effective and reasonable solutions. Ensure you include enough fiber as a part of your daily diet. Fiber helps manage cholesterol while aiding in removing toxins and waste from the body.Take time foster meaningful social relationships. Take time to give and receive loveMake a point to relax and involve joy in your life. Enjoy a good book, take a nap, visit a friend, go for a walk or engage in other activities you enjoy. Drinking alcohol is not recommended, but if you do drink, do so in moderationSet aside time to brainstorm some on various changes you want to make to bring your life back in balance.Explore the various reasons and benefits to change and think about the results of maintaining your current behaviors Be true to yourself, be courageous and remain positive. Seek continuing support from those around you. Don't be too hard on yourself. Remember that it's nromal and OK if you hit barriers from time to time. Start over again. Keep going.
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