HOW BALANCED ARE YOU?

If you’re interested in what balance means to you, download the full report here.

What’s the big deal about balance? What exactly is it? How do we achieve it?

In collaboration with The Akin, we’ve created a report all about it and its importance in our lives. We needed some help, though. We asked more than 1,800 of you across 8 countries how you stay level and got some industry experts to give us their opinions, too. In the report, we came up with five insights, to help you achieve zen, sprinkled with our own little take on living harmoniously.

THE PRESSURE FOR PROGRESS

Is it all getting a little too much at work lately? You’re not the only one. 93% of us believe we live in a cult of busyness and the burden of constantly climbing the corporate ladder is having a negative effect on our mental health. 

And it’s not only work, but everything alongside it too. Balancing family and social lives are another challenge. 65% of us admit to having (or nearly having) a breakdown. 

But hey, it’s not all bad, we just need to be more open about making mistakes. It would be handy if we were all a little more honest. We also advise leaving all work emails strictly for office hours and letting your stressed-out colleagues know they’ve got support. Let’s beat burn-out culture.

LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER ONE

Sure, hanging out with friends has its healing properties, but it’s ok to say no when you’re not feeling like it. 52% of us regularly make time for ourselves, because being alone can be confronting, but cool. 

Say hello to the ‘me-kend’. It’s like a regular weekend, but without social obligations. It’s about taking time for yourself to read a book, or have a relaxing bubble bath. Let’s be more transparent and say ‘maybe next time’ when our social batteries need a bit of charging. 

Remember when you were a kid and you used to be so. damn. bored? In this technological age, that doesn’t happen anymore. But sometimes you just need to switch off and let your mind wander. It’s good for you!

SCREEN IT ALL BEFORE

Speaking of technology, doesn’t it take up so much of your time lately? At work, on public transport and in bed, we’re addicted and we need to start withdrawal. 

A mighty 85% of us state that social media makes us unhappy, so why are we always stuck to it? The constant images of people and their #blessed lives seduce us into a world of filters and fakery. 

How do we find zen sans the internet? Number one: step away from the screens! Number two, engage in something physical: read a book, talk to someone, or listen to a podcast. Limit the time spent on social media, give yourself a few phone-free hours and join the real world again.

COMFORT AIN'T COOL

Here we are, preaching to you that you need more balance. But being comfortable isn’t always a good thing. It can lead to stagnation, and who wants that?

72% of us believe that discomfort leads to self-growth. That’s because we are more likely to think out of the box when our personal boundaries are being tested. Knowing we have that safety net also helps though, because we know we won’t lose everything if it ends up going under.

The road to success is full of twists and turns. Daring to do things you’ve never tried before can be exhilarating and open new doors. Say yes to that chop! Your hair will always grow back.

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but sometimes it actually is. 85% of us find balance by escaping our metropolitan lives for some pure, unadulterated nature. In fact, more of us are leaving the city permanently, in favour of pastures new.

The countryside and coastline aren’t controlled by our regular routines. Removing yourself from the rat race and really getting in touch with your senses can lead to an effective mental reset. Fresh air, plus zero distractions equal a clear head.

On your next free day, take a trip to the beach or a local nature park. Find an isolated spot and scream at the top of your lungs (the sheep won’t judge you). And if you can’t get out of the city, a park will do.

BALANCE & YOU

So yeah, balance is important to us. We can’t really describe it, we find it hard to control, but we want it. So bad! Most importantly, it’s not a blanket term: it’s ongoing and constantly changing per person and context.

We’re working harder than we should and are pushing ourselves to the limit, but it’s not all doom and gloom. We just have to learn when to say no, when to give ourselves some me-time and escape to the country every now and again. 

The world can be a scary place and we’ll forever be encountering hurdles that try to knock us down. If we find those little pockets of solace, we just might make it through. We’re all in it together, so let’s be kind to one another. Let’s be kind to ourselves. More of the good stuff, less of the bad. 

If you’re interested in what balance means to you, download the full report here.