Finding Moderation and Balance in Life

You might have heard that moderation is essential for a healthy, happy lifestyle. Buddhists and Stoics alike have been explaining for millennia how maintaining balance in your life is the key to meaning and tranquility. At times, finding the right equilibrium can be difficult. However, with diligent, consistent effort, you can find the right amount of moderation and balance in every aspect of your life. 

Finding Balance and Moderation at Work

Finding the right balance at work can be tricky. The constant pressure to perform may encourage you to work longer and longer hours, afraid you won't be able to set yourself apart. It can be easy to fall into burnout, resenting your job yet working around the clock out of fear. 

While working too much can be a serious problem, so can slacking off. If you want to excel in your profession and enjoy decades of success, you'll need to do more than the bare minimum. To increase your chances of rising in your career, you must put in the work required to contribute creatively to your organization. 

Finding balance can take time, and you'll swing between extremes before you get the hang of it. I've had 80-hour weeks where I was running on fumes. I've also had months where I was convinced that living an ultra-minimalist lifestyle and working as little as possible was the answer. Now, I believe a happy medium — the middle way — is the best course of action. 

Finding Balance and Moderation in Health 

When it comes to the gym — track, yoga mat, etc. — finding a happy medium helps promote a long, healthy life. Sitting on your couch all day is a sure way to poor health. At the same time, overexerting yourself can lead to overtraining and burnout. In some cases, extreme exercise may also carry cardiovascular risks. 

The same goes for nutrition. Eating 4,000 calories per day (unless you're a highly-active athlete) isn't going to work out very well for you. But neither is eating 500. Extreme diets restricting you to only bananas or protein shakes aren't likely to supply the nutrients you need to perform. Balance is everything. 

Everything in Moderation, Including Moderation

While balance and moderation are useful tools in a healthy life, sometimes you might want to get a little extreme. When I was in law school, I studied over 60 hours a week. When I trained for a marathon, I went on 20-mile runs on Saturday mornings. When I learned I was going blind, I quit my job and moved to South America. 

None of these times in my life were exercises in moderation. Every once in a while, if you have your sights set on a lofty goal, you might need to take a break from moderation and put forth your very best effort. Once you've accomplished your goal, prioritize the areas of your life you may have neglected while pursuing the goal and return to a state of balance. 

How do you find moderation and balance in life? Share your stories in the comments.

See Also

• Balance Self-Care Between Saying No and Challenging Yourself
• Lifestyle Changes for Depression Encourage Moderation