Today is Bell Let’s Talk day in Canada. What’s that you say? Well it’s Bell (company) raising awareness about Mental Health in Canada. You can text, tweet, call long distance or share their image on Facebook and they will donate $0.05 cents towards mental health initiatives throughout Canada. I wrote about it last year here and in 2013 here. Last June, I took a Mental Health First Aid Course for work and I 100% recommend it for EVERYONE. Look it up people!
A few weeks ago (January 19th) I participated in a weekly Twitter Chat with @RunATCan. That stands for “Running in Atlantic Canada”- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. It’s a great group of people who are beyond encouraging, knowledgeable, friendly and a lot of fun!
This specific chat was about “Life Balance” and was huge! So many people or tweeters were on this chat, it was awesome. So, since today is #BellLetsTalk day, I thought I would share the questions and MY responses below…because I believe “Life Balance” and “Mental Health” go hand-in-hand…and so did many of the other tweeters.
Question #1: Give your personal definition of life balance.
My response: A1 Making sure I can fit in my priorities first: family, health (activity), friends. Being okay with NOT doing it ALL.
Question #2: Do you sometimes struggle w/ life balance as a runner? (running taking over, annoying others/not running as much as you want).
Response: My mental health is a priority over many other things and if that means running then yes, running takes priority.
Question #3: Have you ever made a physical list of what your priorities actually are? Whether yes or no, what are the top 3?
Response: Family, Health (mental, physical) and then everything else as needed. #RunATCan I also know what is not my priority.
Question #4: Have you ever taken a few days & tracked your time & see how you actually use it? Work, sleep, TV, phone, family, running, etc
Response: Ha ha, yeah but only for a blog post not for me. #RunATCan #dayinthelifeofablogger 😉
Question #5: If you feel like things are unbalanced, how do you hit reset? For some, it’s easy – for others, quite hard. Share your tips!
Response: Usually it’s after a breakdown (ha) & a good conversation with my husband to get my priorities focused #RunATCan Spouse support.
Question #6: Is improving our life balance as runners all about increasing positive things, decreasing negative things or both?
Response: I think a little of both. You need the good with the bad as life isn’t always perfect.
So, now you know a little bit more about me, how I attempt to balance my life, running and my mental health. I feel lucky to have this awesome running group on Twitter that meets up at local events as well. I feel lucky to know what supports are out there if I, yes me…or anyone else needs them to help balance their life.
My little family in yesterday’s storm 🙂
Mental health is important to me and talking about it is even more important. So, please if you can text or tweet #BellLetsTalk today – THAT would be awesome.
Now it’s your turn……leave a comment or heck, write a blog post about these 6 questions and leave me your link.
Question #1: Give your personal definition of life balance.
Question #2: Do you sometimes struggle w/ life balance as a runner? (running taking over, annoying others/not running as much as you want).
Question #3: Have you ever made a physical list of what your priorities actually are? Whether yes or no, what are the top 3?
Question #4: Have you ever taken a few days & tracked your time & see how you actually use it? Work, sleep, TV, phone, family, running, etc
Question #5: If you feel like things are unbalanced, how do you hit reset? For some, it’s easy – for others, quite hard. Share your tips!
Question #6: Is improving our life balance as runners all about increasing positive things, decreasing negative things or both?
Piper's Run 
Balance is difficult but I think running has actually helped me be a better balanced person. Mental health is super important and something I have watched many people suffer with different issues and some have lost battles. Thanks for sharing. It needs be an open discussion and not taboo.
Balance IS difficult! Running has definitely made me a better balance person – that’s one of the reasons I’m having such a hard time with my injury. I miss running those longer distances but at the same time I know I need to sit back a little right now so I can run all year long and not be sideline for months.
Such important things to think about. I am not sure I will do a blog post but I am certainly going to spend some time with those questions. Thanks, Anna.
Good luck with the questions Elle. 🙂
Those are really tough questions, not sure I have my answers set. Although #3 I’m all over, being a list person. I have a lot of priorities and they shift, but top 3 I’d say, God, family, my health (mental and physical). But I can really sum those up in the word Love, to feel and show love. I also feel the topic of mental health is important to bring up and discuss, thank you.
I’m a list person too 😉
Thanks for sharing Cynthia.
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I took your challenge. Here you go: https://therunningtherapist.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/life-balance/ Thanks so much for such a thoughtful post.
Thanks for taking the challenge! I loved reading your answers. Happy running!