It’s easy to feel calm and relaxed when you’re on vacation, or taking some time off for a holiday.

The question is: how do we create a similar calm feeling in our day to day life?

How do we relax when our stress level is through the roof and we don’t have the time or energy to spend an hour getting a massage or taking a yoga class?

Even when we have good intentions and we plan to include self-care in our schedule, there is always something more important to do. Looking back at the end of the day, we realize that we feel far from balanced.

Here is the formula on how to get started creating a balanced day:

1. Choose one habit or activity.
2. Be consistent with doing 5 minutes every day. No more, no less.
3. Start small: 5 minutes.
4. Evaluate after 4 weeks and decide if to make any changes.

When I first talk to people about creating a balance routine, they come up with big plans and within few days their level of disappointment is as high as their expectations.

They plan to exercise for 45 minutes, eat healthy, take a walk and meditate every day.

A week later, when they’ve seen their plan doesn’t work, they are willing to try the above formula. They choose an activity that fits their style – inspirational reading, talking a walk, listening to a guided meditation on their iPOD or Smartphone, ?a few yoga pauses – and they do it until it becomes a habit.

After 4 weeks, consider these options:

1. Keep doing the same without any changes.
2. Add 5 more minutes of the same activity.
3. Try a different activity for? 5 minutes every day.

Try to do your activity the same time every day. I recommend mornings because how you start your day is how you live your day.

The Bottom Line: It’s better to be consistent with a 5 minute daily routine than to try and fail a more ambitious plan.

Ask: What can I start my morning with which makes me feel calm and relaxed?

Affirm: I choose balance over stress by starting with 5 minutes of self-care every day