Back to Balance

Life after cancer for me means that I enjoy each day. I really don’t know when I will die. Could be when I am riding my bike to work. If I want to live a long vibrant life, I choose to change old habits.

1. Exercise
I need to exercise each day. Back to balance means to choose the right exercise and knowing my limits. I know when I overdo my workout because I wakeup with leg cramps in the middle of the night or have a sore back. This is called feedback. I can change my exercise plan for tomorrow. Knowing my limits before injury is an art. I enjoy hiking, swimming, ride a bike, walking, dancing and go to the YMCA to move my body.

2. Eat Right
Back to balance for food is to eat limited portions of low fat organic food. I monitor my weight daily and I am an active member of weight watchers. This group of friends help me learn to gain control over portions and eat right. I need food to nourish my body and support my brain function. Balance is needed so I can maintain my best body weight.

3. Get Enough Sleep
No more long 4-hour commutes and then nine-hour workdays for me. Overwork brings burnout and sleep depravation. I am done with that lifestyle. This burnout behavior lowered my immune system and led my to colon cancer. I bike to work through a city park in ten minutes. I take naps during the day.

4. Simple Housing
Back to balance with housing for me is living in a small studio. Living simply. No more big real estate property to manage. A small studio means I collect less stuff. I keep hauling out boxes of clothes to donate to goodwill. Less clutter more clarity. I live in an old building with wooden floors and old radiators. No air conditioning needed. I use fans.

5. Healthy Relationships
Back to balance with relationships means I end toxic relationships that suck out my life source. I do not have to fix someone else’s problems. The reason I have healthy friendships is that our relationship is respectful and supportive.

6. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Back to balance with my daily routine is making a list of things to do each day and getting my nap out of the way first. Balance makes my life peaceful and a lot more fun. Most things I worry about don’t happen. Does it take McDonalds ads to convince me that I deserve a break today?

7. Learn to Laugh and Have Fun Daily
Back to balance with overwork is planning leisure. Keep a list of fun things to do. Go see the movie The Bucket List. If today were the last day you would be alive, what would you do with your time?

8. Choose the Right Job
I am fifty-seven years old. I will be working a long time before I retire. If I want to have balance with my employment, I need to limit my stress level and work hours so my work life is sustainable.