How "Lagom" Could Change Everything You Do
By Sandy Schroeder
“Lagom” is a Swedish concept that means “just the right amount.” The latest health buzz in Mamamia.com suggests we should all practice lagom to balance our lives, creating more peace and contentment. The process starts by being a bit thrifty and a lot more wise in our choices.
Here are some great ways to practice lagom.
Get A Grip on Your Work and Your Life
Take a look at your schedule and your workplace. Are you sitting too many hours and working even more? Being totally involved in a job can be very stimulating. Overloading to the point of excluding everything else is another matter. Then you risk losing touch with the rest of your life. Following the lagom model, keep blending the amounts until you get the right formula for you.
Discover How Less Can Be More
Lagom suggests we learn how pleasurable minimalism can be. Start by clearing the clutter off of your desk. If that feels good, move on to simplify your home or your car. Then consider decluttering your mind as you organize your desktop and bookcase. This can lead to a review of all of your projects, weeding out the ones that are no longer productive.
Minimalism can work at the store too. Instead of randomly shopping, really consider what the purchases are doing for you. Shop carefully, making the best choices and enjoying them more. Fresh picked fruit with a steaming cup of tea may easily outrank bags of chips or cookies.
Carefully choose recipes from sites like Epicurous.com. Then selectively shop for the right fish, poultry or lean meats to create memorable suppers with friends and family.
Thoughtfully Balance Time with Others
Too much online time and too little face-to-face interaction with friends can create an imbalance. Too much TV and too few games and conversations with family can be equally unsatisfying. Make the effort to stay in touch with everyone and enjoy the response.
Weigh Your Pattern of Give and Take
Consider how much you get from life and how much you give. Take the time to visit a senior care facility, or help out at your local library. Volunteer to drive seniors who need rides, or help with cleanups at the local park. Try to build a once-a-month volunteer routine into your schedule.
Strike a Balance Between Active and Quiet
Pair healthy walking with quiet visits to museums and bookstores. Enjoy weekends that include biking, hiking, and concerts or lectures. The more you follow the lagom model, the more comfortable it may become. You may find yourself extending the principle to all sorts of other facets of your life.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Brea, Calif.
