Life in our world today can often be busy and hectic, leaving us feeling worn out, off balance, and defeated. Without intentional habits and life-giving practices, we can become doomed to the chaotic ebb and flow of everyday life. Do you ever find yourself saying things like “I’ll get that finished next week,” “I’ll eat healthier after this event,” or “I’ll get involved at church when life isn’t so busy”? It’s easy to let these excuses creep into our lives, but what is it that is truly stopping you from making good decisions and creating healthy habits today? Think about this: The devil doesn’t have to convince us to give up our good intentions and dreams; he simply needs to convince us to save them for tomorrow.

We all want to live better lives in some way. Making small changes in multiple areas of life can give us energy and motivation for the bigger changes and lead to feelings of positivity and wellbeing. Here are some quick tips for finding balance and enhancing different areas of our lives where we might be struggling.

Physical Life

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

It can be all too easy to let physical exercise and healthy eating go by the wayside when life gets busy, but in reality these are some of our most powerful tools for feeling better and maintaining overall wellness. Physical exercise has been proven to be as effective as antidepressant medication for some. Our bodies are a gift from our Creator; we can treasure and honor our bodies and God by eating well and keeping our bodies strong and healthy. Try one of these tips this week to grow in physical health:

• Join a gym. Chances are if you’re paying a monthly fee, you are more likely to be motivated to go work out.
• Find a workout buddy. Accountability is huge when it comes to exercise, especially for those of us who struggle with motivation.
• Find healthy recipes that excite you. Commit to actually making one of those Pinterest meals in your collection.
• Try something new. Ever eaten leeks or jicama? On your next shopping trip, pick out a fruit or vegetable that you’ve never tried before and research the best way to prepare it.

Check out myfitnesspal.com for a free, simple way to track exercise, calories, and more.

Social Life

“How good and pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!” (Psalm 133:1)

We are made to be in relationship with others. In our current world where Netflix binging is considered an ideal Saturday night, it can be tough to seek out friendships and build relationships. Authentic relationships are an important part of life. This is apparent in the joy that comes from sharing our lives with others. More than money or fame, it is close relationships that keep people happy throughout their lives. Try one of these challenges to fill up your social buckets this week:

• Call one person with whom you haven’t connected with lately.
• Pick out one upcoming event from your church bulletin and commit to attending. Feeling nervous? Invite a friend to come along with you or plan to go with your spouse!
• Talk to one person at Mass this week whom you have never met. You never know who might be waiting for someone to reach out.

Check out masstimes.org to find a local parish near you.

Financial Life

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Finances are a common stressor for all, whether rich or poor, and are one of the top sources of contention among married couples. Finding balance with finances is about the feeling of having control over the money flowing into and out of your household. If you struggle with spending habits or organizing your funds, try one of these tips to make steps toward financial peace:

• Ask for help. If this is an area where you struggle, seek advice from your money savvy friends or family on how they keep their finances on track.
• If you don’t utilize one already, create a budget for yourself and your family. The Internet is full of financial resources for the simplest to most complex budget situations. If you’re really committed to making big financial changes, check out Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.
• Giving away money may seem counterintuitive when trying to save money and get finances on track, but God calls us to be generous. Truly all that we have is given to us by God, and He blesses us when we are generous in giving back to him.
• Entrust your finances to God. Making ends meet is a real burden for some. God cares deeply about every struggle we have, and He wants to come through for us. True financial peace comes from making prudent decisions with what we are given and trusting God will always provide for our needs.

Check out Mint.com, a free budgeting app for a simple way to get started with budgeting, and daveramsey.com for more financial resources.

Family Life

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.” (Genesis 18:19)

In His infinite wisdom, God created us to be born into families. Every family looks different and has a unique story, but all our familial relationships are important. Prioritizing time with family is integral to a balanced life. In these relationships, we have the potential to make a lasting impact on our spouse and children—for better or worse. As they say, the days are long but the years are short. No matter how tough things might be at work or home, we will never regret putting in the extra effort to connect with our family and show them love. Try something new this week to reconnect with your family:

• Have a family game night. Make a memory that turns into a weekly or monthly tradition in your home.
• Take your spouse on a date. Dress up and get out of the house for an evening, or if money is tight, have a picnic in the backyard as the sun sets.
• Pray with your family. If prayer is not part of your family life already, begin incorporating prayer into your family’s routine. Pray out loud with each of your kids and spouse before bedtime or lead your whole family in prayer together. Your family will learn by your example or lack thereof. Need some guidance on praying with your spouse or family? Read about four simple steps here or watch a presentation about family prayer here.
• Spend one on one time with your kids. Learn the love languages of the members of your family and make an effort to show love in the way that they best receive it.

Check out 5lovelanguages.com for more information on love languages, and loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/family for resources and ideas for living out faith as a family.

Spiritual Life

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Devoting time to our spiritual life is perhaps the most important area to consider when trying to find balance in life. In our day-to-day life, we don’t always need big moments to encounter God. It is the seemingly small habits we build that can have the biggest impact on our relationship with God. This can be in a fifteen-minute prayer at the beginning of the day, praying a rosary on the daily commute to work or school, listening to podcasts that make you think about your faith and inspire your relationship with God, or devoting time at the end of the day to pray with your family. Need more ideas? Try one of these suggestions this week:

• Develop a daily prayer life. Carve out 20 minutes in your schedule every day to connect with God.
• Find an ordinary time in your day to incorporate prayer, such as when you’re doing the dishes, before a weekly meeting you dread, or while brushing your hair. Find a time in your daily routine to say an extra ‘Glory Be’ or have a check in with God.
• How’s your sacramental attendance grade doing? Are you making it to Mass, Confession, and Adoration regularly? If not, pick the area you are struggling in most and make time for it this week.

Check out Laudate, a free app stocked full with a variety of prayers and meditations.

Living a life of joy begins in the day-to-day details. Incorporating some of these simple tasks can help keep us on the straight and narrow path to holiness and happiness. A balanced life doesn’t just happen on its own; a balanced life is built day by day with good decisions and the grace of God.