Rediscovering Balance: Habits to Recenter When Life Feels Off-Balance

I recently finished two books that seemed completely different at first. But as I reflected, I realized they both explored how to rediscover balance and build habits to recenter when life feels off-balance.

The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter paints a picture of argues that our pursuit of constant comfort—through technology, convenience, and avoidance of challenges has led to physical and mental health issues. He embarks on a personal mission to reintroduce manageable discomforts to rewild himself and center his well-being.

The other book is Martha Beck's Beyond Anxiety. Aside from some great toolsets, like Easter, she identifies a primary root of anxiety as a natural response to a world that doesn't align with our evolutionary design. Or in brain-language, our overreliance on analytical thinking and removal from nature loads up the left hemisphere and often leads to heightened anxiety.

Even though our Western way of life feels as "normal" as water does to a fish, we haven't been in this pond very long. If human history were condensed into a single calendar year, we would have spent 364 days, 23 hours, and 58 seconds outside, moving, and deeply connected to nature. Only in the last couple of seconds before midnight on December 31 did we retreat indoors, planted in desk chairs, and glued to screens.

A Grounding Checklist

So if you happen to feel off, both authors would answer, "Of course you do." Consider these actionable steps inspired by Beck and Easter.

1. Embrace Discomfort

Challenge yourself with small discomforts to build resilience.

• Physical Activity: Engage in exercises that push your limits slightly, like hiking or trying a new fitness routine. If you can do this out in nature, it will have outsized effects.

• Digital Detox: Allocate time away from screens (yes, it will be uncomfortable) to reconnect with the physical world.

2. Engage in Creative Activities

Stimulate the right hemisphere of your brain to counterbalance analytical overload.

• Artistic Expression: Draw, paint, or engage in crafts, focusing on the process rather than the outcome. I recently spent and afternoon with my daughter drawing unicorns from "My Little Pony." I haven't felt that at peace for weeks.

• Music and Dance: Listen to music or dance freely to release tension and foster joy. The right hemisphere of your brain loves this.

3. Connect with Nature

Reestablish your bond with the natural environment.

• Outdoor Walks: Spend time in parks or forests, observing the sights and sounds around you. Even in a big city, you can find a little slice of nature.

• Bring the Nature to You: Cultivate plants, allowing yourself to nurture and watch grow. I recently removed the majority of "office" stuff from my working space so that it is now just a computer and sixteen new plants.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Anchor yourself in the present moment to reduce anxiety and get centered.

• Meditation: Dedicate a few minutes daily to focus on your breath and clear your mind. I've been using a Zen meditation app called The Way, which has been very helpful (I still need that bit of structure - even when meditating).

• Deep Breathing: Use deep, diaphragmatic breaths to calm your nervous system during stressful moments. My personal favorite is a 4 minute Box Breath break: 4 second inhale, 4 second hold, 4 second exhale, 4 second hold.

5. Reintroduce Randomness into Your Life

Modern life is hyper-structured—algorithms curate what we see, and routines dictate our days. But our ancestors thrived in unpredictable environments, which kept their brains engaged.

• Take a different route on your walk or commute.

• Try a new hobby with zero expectations.

• Let a dice roll or a coin flip determine small decisions.

• Play the game of opposites and choose the opposite of your first instinct.

6. Engage in Deep, Unstructured Play

As adults, we often view play as childish or unproductive—but it's a crucial part of mental health. Play isn't limited to games; it’s any activity done for pure enjoyment without an end goal.

• Roughhousing or playing pretend with your kids.

• Sketching random doodles with no intention of “creating art.”

• Playing a game or sport without tracking wins/losses.

• Exploring a new place without an agenda.

P.S. Each of these makes for a worthy 21 day challenge, so stay tuned and let me know if you have any to add to the list!