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Time stilled, hearts beat softer, and some of us wept. While hiking in silence through a Costa Rican rainforest, we were held in a humble space of deep awareness, gratitude and beauty.

We humans, like all aspects of nature, are energetic beings. When was the last time you felt alive with positivity and hope, fully engaged in most aspects of your life? I mean, come on, we cannot be 100 percent in every area of our life at once, no matter what you have heard. But we can strive for balance — for happiness most days, and for the resilience to weather what comes our way. That’s doable, right? 

Years ago, I was already burnt out at the ripe age of 29. While I was doing meaningful work as a mental health professional, I found myself becoming disheartened and pessimistic. My reflex was to search for the silver lining in everything, but that became too Pollyannaish, which dismissed the truth of my experiences and those of my clients. I recognized my own burnout and decided to make a drastic change. I quit my job, stored or sold most belongings, and went on a yearlong backpacking trip around the globe. Talk about a life change! That is a whole other story. What I learned from that experience, though, has served me to this day. 

The fast pace of today is a double-edged sword. Achieving a harmonious balance between meaningful work that meets your monetary needs and your own mental health while being present for your relationships is a superhuman marathon. Amid the hustle, it’s crucial to remember that true success lies not just in professional achievements but also in nurturing ourselves and cultivating deep connections with those who matter most.

In a society where monetary success is often equated with personal worth, it’s understandable why many of us dedicate significant time and energy to our careers. The drive to excel is deeply ingrained in our culture. However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial stability is undeniably important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of our mental well-being or our relationships.

The pressure to constantly strive for more can take a toll on our mental health. Long hours, tight deadlines and relentless competition can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout. Moreover, the relentless pursuit of wealth or career advancement can create a sense of emptiness if it’s not balanced with other aspects of life that bring us joy and fulfillment. Just as we prioritize our physical health by exercising and eating well, we must also prioritize our mental health. This means recognizing when we need to take a step back, recharge and engage in self-care activities that nourish our minds and our souls. 

Whether it’s practicing mindfulness or seeking professional help when needed, investing in our mental health is essential for long-term happiness and success. Here are some simple, daily practices you can incorporate to foster balance in your life. 

Get back to nature

Without making time to reflect and contemplate, our life can become lifeless, and our being becomes merely doing. As a financial and executive coach, I offer clients the opportunity to pause and consider where their lives are headed through experiential adventure retreats around the globe. During that personal growth retreat in Costa Rica, we made space for the Japanese practice of forest bathing. Silent, intentional walking through the rainforest energizes our souls. Recent research from Cornell University found that as little as 10 to 50 minutes in nature can reduce feelings of anger, anxiety, and stress, and promote cooperation, calm and empathy. And with today’s loneliness epidemic, spending time intentionally in nature can lower depression rates and reduce feelings of sadness and isolation.

Create healthy boundaries

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not just about carving out time for relaxation and self-care — it’s also about setting boundaries and learning to say no. In a world where we’re constantly connected via smartphones and laptops, it’s easy for work to spill over into our personal lives, blurring the lines between professional and personal time. However, establishing clear boundaries and sticking to them is crucial for preserving our mental health and maintaining healthy relationships. And if you are a parent, the simple act of setting boundaries, saying no when necessary and apologizing for wrongdoing, especially to your children, models that behavior back to them. You are actively teaching your children the art of living well and being well.

Make time for relationships

It’s important to remember that no amount of professional success can replace the warmth and energy of the human spirit. Our relationships — whether with family, friends or romantic partners — are the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Too often in our quest for success, it’s easy to neglect these relationships, take them for granted, or prioritize work commitments over spending quality time with loved ones. Busyness seems to be a badge of honor today. The reality is that being a calm, stable, present human being is admirable. Make a conscious effort to prioritize people first and hold space for their needs, dreams and quality time with you. Be present and listen.

Very often, it is the bowl of cereal together in the morning, the evening walk with your teen or just listening to your loved ones rant and complain without fixing, correcting or cajoling. It means putting down our phones during dinner, scheduling regular date nights with our partners and making time for family rituals and gatherings.

Achieving a healthy balance between work, mental health and relationships requires intentionality and mindfulness. It all begins with the person in the mirror. Start there. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let’s strive for balance. Let’s remember that true success is not measured by the amount of money we make or the titles we hold but by the richness and strength of our inner lives, the depth of our human connections and, most of all, honoring loved ones as the true gifts in our lives.  

Christina Dyer holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified executive coach. She is the president of Christina Dyer International, a global coaching and consulting company focused on financial behavior and wellness, life coaching and servant leadership retreats. 

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