Little does it

Life can feel overwhelming when, after a full workday, there is hardly any time left for what truly matters. The days seem to unfold in fast-forward mode, and sadly, this has become our reality. That's why it's essential to protect ourselves from the devastating effects of a life that feels wasted. Such “destructive” life dynamic causes emotional, then mental and finally physical stress, all of which affect our overall health.

The first step toward regaining and maintaining our well-being is to be aware that something has to change. From that awareness we can begin to explore practical ways to create more balance, like being intentional with our working hours. It might sound obvious but unless we act, nothing will improve. And the only thing that will change is our health - for the worse.

Often, what ends up happening is that we procrastinate for solutions and unfortunately life does not stop for us. It keeps moving and we watch it go by - unlived or lived with no quality.  What a waste. A life lacking in quality becomes a source of chronic stress, which we already know it harms our emotional, mental and physically well-being.

 It is crucial to realize that only we can address this imbalance. We are 100% responsible for adding quality to our lives. That means making it a priority to create space for self care, which includes, but isn't limited to: spending quality time with our loved ones, taking a long bath, reading a book or watching a movie, cooking a nourishing meal or going out to our favorite restaurant, going out for walks in fresh air,  meditating, listening to music, going to the theater, riding a bike, or simply doing whatever makes our hearts feel alive.

Many of us have heard of meditation and, for a long time, I found the idea intimidating. It sounded complicated, like something only spiritually advanced people could do. But I have learned that meditation simply means focusing on one thing to quiet the mind and relax the body. Some forms include breathing exercises, mindfulness, starring at a candle, progressive muscle relaxation, movement meditation, visualization or body scan. It is not only about sitting still in silence, which for many of us feels unnatural in our nonstop lives. In fact, being still often feels like punishment because we have forgotten how to just be without doing.

  We do not need to make dramatic changes or take expensive trips to feel healthy and grounded. Small steps are enough, but action is essential. Making a list of priorities is one way to organize our minds and determine where we want to invest our heart and energy.  How we invest our time directly impacts our overall well-being because mind, body and soul are deeply interconnected.  They transfer back and forth between them whatever energy we carry within. When that energy is balanced and positive we experience peace, health, and joy, and the opposite happens as well.

We are living in an era of short attention spans and instant gratification.  Everything moves fast and we expect quick results. If something takes too long or feels too hard, we abandon it and turn to quicker, easier options, feeding the cycle.  But meaningful change requires time, effort, patience and sometimes sacrifice. That's why conventional medicine remains more popular than natural approaches: it provides fast symptom relief even if it does not address the root.

One small but powerful habit we can adopt is learning to be still, both physically and mentally. Slowing down allows us to turn inward and reflect. According to Wikipedia, Introspection is “the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings. It is closely related to human self reflection and self discovery, and it is contrasted with external observation.” When we step away from the noise and distractions of life, we can practice introspection. This practice is the key to balance because it nurtures self-awareness and with this one we find motivation. When we are motivated we move toward freedom and peace.

It does not matter how small your first steps are, what matters is that you take them. That first step is often the hardest, but it opens the way. The sense of satisfaction you'll feel will encourage you to keep going. You will know when you have found your balance, because you'll feel peace. That is your compass. That is your light. Little does it. Little by little.