Strategies for Balanced Living

Abstract

Balance refers to the ability to reasonably manage the different aspects of our lives. Balanced living is not only healthy but also serves as a protection against relapse. Balance can lead to happiness and provide opportunities for personal growth. Although some areas of life may get temporarily out of balance due to demands of work or family, the goal is to strive for a balance that works for the client and that can accommodate periods of imbalance. The goals of this chapter are to understand the benefits of living a balanced lifestyle, to determine the overall balance in one’s life, to learn how to keep a daily inventory to catch problems and relapse warning signs early, to develop a weekly schedule of activities to add structure to our lives, and to create a list of pleasant activities.