When people think about a balanced life, they seek it in an organized academic life, such as passing every class and exceeding in their grades in order to have a higher placement. We live in a society that often prioritizes work rather than mental stability. However, both are extremely important and should be fit into a balanced life. 

Everyone’s view and ideal image of balanced life is different. Everyone prioritizes certain sections of their life, whether it be academics, health, etc. However, reaching a certain point of peace and full balance in life is a very difficult path. It is a process that is different for everyone. 

The process should be done at its own pace and dealt with without rush. It should be one that brings peace and happiness through it as it is meant to be a change for the better. Rushing the process will most times lead to continuous failures which can affect people even more.     

In this article, MCHS staff and students share their personal experience on their road towards working into a balanced life, along with information about how to reach that point and some of the steps they took to help them through the process. 

Therapist and clinic worker Andria Hansen shares her professional opinion on what an unbalanced and balanced life looks like. 

“An unbalanced life is having a lack of center and groundedness within them. It leads to a combination of anxiety and depression that starts to show daily. A person with a balanced life is someone that is able to address all the aspects of themselves. They care for themselves physically, spiritually, mentally, and just make sure to cover what their body and mind need,” she said. 

Janet Montes, high school counselor, shared the importance of a balanced life. 

“I think having a balanced life is important because it allows you to be better focused in everything you want to do. So for example if everything is about work, then it makes it really difficult to enjoy anything else. You start to become stressed and anxious because you have so much work to do. But if you go in calm and with a clear mind then work production is even better,” said Montes.

One of the main issues in an unorganized life is the stress that follows it. In the article “Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior” by Mayo Clinic it states, “Stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior.” Stress demonstrates itself in a variety of ways. It demonstrates itself through anxiety, depression, disorders, etc. 

Montes continues to voice her opinion on the importance of not only focusing on academics and healthy eating but also on the small things in life. 

“It is the same situation with paying attention to your mental health. Everyone puts a lot of focus on how we need to eat fruits and vegetables but no one really focuses on how we need to learn to breathe better or to spend more time outside and on yourself. Doing a little bit of everything in order to allow yourself to be the most productive,” said Montes. 

Having a balanced life is more than just academics and good health but it’s also about mental health and your mind and body’s needs. In the same article by Mayo Clinic, “If you have stress symptoms, taking steps to manage your stress can have many health benefits. Explore stress management strategies, such as:

• Getting regular physical activity
• Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or massage
• Keeping a sense of humor
• Spending time with family and friends
• Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music”

Junior Cecy Rivera shares a few ways she has brought a sense of balance into her life.

“An unpopular approach that I took towards establishing balance in my life was giving up the things that did not serve me anymore. A lot of the time we commit to things because of whether it be responsibility or status, but if we consciously choose to keep the things in our lives that help us become the person we wanna be, that is how balance is,” said Rivera.

Rivera wanted to share her new knowledge on the importance of having a balanced life and ways to execute it. She created a club that focuses on the importance of balance through mentally and physically. 

“Our hopes for Serenity (Club) were that we could create a community where we come together to practice mindfulness and exercise our bodies and ways that we have never done before. Through meditation and yoga, we give ourselves a little time to observe the world around us outside of all the hassle,” said Rivera. 

Wanting to make the change to organizing or balancing your time properly is a huge step in wanting to change.

Hansen shares how the first step to leading a balanced life will be the biggest. 

“Having that recognition and awareness is the first step. Admitting that you’d be more content in life if it were to be balanced. This change for the better won’t happen suddenly. It is a slow process and you must remember that change is incremental,” said Hansen.

Choosing to change your lifestyle is difficult. However, taking the first step to create a change for the better is the biggest change. 

Senior Natalia Leon, shares what made her want to change her lifestyle and the first steps she took towards it. 

“I decided to change my lifestyle because I wanted to enjoy what I was doing instead of just waiting to get it over with. The first step I took to change my lifestyle was to acknowledge everything I was doing and to organize what I truly wanted to do or was interested in,” she said.

Leon shares more about what her life was like before finding a sense of balance and what she has been able to achieve and focus on now. 

“When I didn’t have a balanced life, I never really knew how to target my goals. I didn’t understand what it took to be not only a successful student but a successful person. I would stress all the time which only caused damage to my mental health. I now know better to always do what is best for my schedule and mental health. In this new lifestyle I have been able to meet academic goals such as reaching deadlines and getting good grades. For my personal goals I have been able to do everything with my full potential and look forward to my days,” said Leon. 

Leon shares a last ending remark about the importance of balancing life. 

“I would like to add that never stop pursuing your busy schedule, and goals. Do what needs to get done and never give up because life is fast and we need to move forward.”