Rodrigues wk VII

 Samuel M. Rodrigues                                  AP Language & Composition                                            11 March 2021

⚖     A Balancing Act    ⚖

    When is enough truly enough? When do we put down the laptop and pick up the sneakers? When do we lay down the controller and hit the books? The truth is; it's different for everyone. While some need more unstructured time, others require more work-related activities. This conflict of work and life is a challenge faced by most of us in today's world. Regardless of who we are or where we are from, we all require some level of balance. In a world overrun with attention-grabbing technologies, toxic mainstream culture, and limitless distractions, balance is vitally important. To achieve this balance, I feel as though there are three parts: increasing daily movement, developing focus, and allotting time for work.

   To begin, the first portion of this process is exercise. Each day, it is important that you make time to move because it gets your blood flowing. Some great exercises to consider are walking, running, or interval weight training. Exercise, in general, increases blood flow not only to the brain but to the rest of the body. This can help to regulate bodily functions and assist in normal movement. Exercising on a daily basis also releases endorphins in the brain such as serotonin. Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter characterized as the “ happy” chemical in the brain because of its ability to boost your mood. By increasing your daily movement, you can improve normal bodily functions and achieve a better mood. It is clear that exercise will help you on your path to complete balance.

    Additionally, developing focus is equally important. In order to develop focus, utilize practices that increase mindfulness and self-awareness. Some exercises that help develop these skills are meditation and yoga. With mindfulness, you can become increasingly aware of distractions and, therefore, become more focused. First, you must learn to become aware of your thoughts. Once you become fully aware of your thoughts, you will realize that many are provoked by distractions around you. As you strengthen your mental awareness, you'll be able to cut out distractions and focus for longer periods of time. By developing focus, you will improve your life balance.

    Lastly, is the importance of sectioning off time for work. By sectioning off time to complete different assignments for school or work, you will have the opportunity to better plan out your day. Some semblance of structure can help to open up more time for personal development activities. Different assignments and tasks may take longer than others, so make sure you allow an appropriate amount of time for each assignment. Not only will this strategy help to reduce stress, but it may also help restore a sense of balance.

    Hopefully, you found this blog post to be insightful and maybe even a little bit helpful! If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to let me know.

A Balancing Act