Finding Balance

We’ve all heard that stress is unhealthy, but sometimes it isn’t easy to decide if you are stressed or trying to get the most out of your days. Two months ago I thought I was travelling great. Healthy stay at home mum, exercising twice a week, crafting and writing (two things I love) and doing as much as I could for my sons Kindergarten. Then I got the beginnings of the everyday flu. A few days later I was bed ridden and a week later diagnosed with Viral Labyrinthitis.

What on earth is that? I hear you say. I had no idea either. Finally after visiting three doctors, two of which acted as though I was a hypochondriac, I had a name for the sickness that had put my whole life on hold. Viral Labyrinthitis is an infection of the inner ear that causes symptoms including dizziness. The condition is caused by a viral infection. Pretty much it is a viral vertigo and people who have experienced vertigo in any form know how horrible it feels and how helpless you feel when you have it.

 How would I describe it? I constantly felt drunk. Not the “I’m so happy let’s dance” drunk, but the “oh my goodness the world keeps spinning, and I have an overwhelming feeling to vomit” drunk. Thanks to the help of my husband and mother I was able to recover and after four weeks the dizziness had subsided.

What is the point to this story? Despite what you may think I’m not chasing sympathy, although that's always nice. My point comes from the fact that the doctor strongly believed that I developed the Viral Labyrinthitis because of stress. At first I was adamant I wasn’t stressed, I was just trying to get as much out of the day as possible. After discussions with my husband who had no doubt and having a hard look at my lifestyle I had to agree. In trying to be more than just a mum I had lost the balance in my life and had become too busy. Keeping a clean house and a healthy diet, editing my manuscript and pushing to publish my first novel by the end of the year, creating two to three banners a day for my small business on Ebay and fulfilling my duties as secretary at my sons Kindy were some of the activities on my list.

My body was screaming "SLOW DOWN!" I needed to stop trying to cram so much into the day, and spend time enjoying the amazing life I have. Sometimes it feels like life is throwing you a curve ball and at the time we ask “why me?” But after looking at the lead up to my being sick I asked, “why not?” Something had to give and luckily I was able to recover and slow my life down. All I ask of you reading this is to take stock of your life. Make sure you aren’t just flying through instead of taking in the wonderful life you have around you. Enjoy the drive to drop your child off at school, the sunshine on your skin, being able to make your own breakfast, being able to express yourself through writing, craft or whatever hobby you enjoy. Because these are the things you will find yourself missing if you ever become sick or your life is changed in some way.