Keeping Ashland Healthy - Episode 132 - A Matter of BalanceKeeping Ashland Healthy - Episode 132 - A Matter of Balance
Keeping Ashland Healthy
(Record Date: July 10, 2026)Are you feeling stretched too thin or like life is just a little out of balance? On the next episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy, we'll explore why balance is so important to our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual...
23:05•17 Jul 2026
Finding Balance: Small Habits for a Steadier, Healthier Life
Episode Overview
- Balance is not a destination but a practice of making small, constant adjustments in response to everyday life.
- Mental and physical health are tightly linked; stress, anxiety and fatigue can show up as muscle tension, poor sleep and low energy.
- Being off balance is not failure; it’s a signal to check in with yourself and make early, gentle changes instead of waiting until you’re overwhelmed.
- Simple, low‑cost habits like walking, breathing exercises, drinking water and spending time outdoors can strongly support emotional wellbeing.
- Small actions repeated consistently over time create the most meaningful and sustainable change in recovery and overall health.
“If you're feeling a little unsteady these days, try treating that as information of something you need instead of evidence that you're doing something wrong.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation on Keeping Ashland Healthy takes a slightly different angle by focusing on one core skill that supports every recovery effort: balance. Executive Director David Ross chats with colleagues Elise Schrader, Director of Programmes, Training and Education, and Jen English, Director of Community Wellness and Engagement, about what balance really means in everyday life.
They move quickly past the usual work–life cliché and talk about balance as something you practise, not a finish line you cross. Elise paints a vivid picture: standing on one foot, “your body is constantly making little adjustments to stay stood on that one foot,” and she reminds people that “your emotional life deserves that same patience.” The episode connects emotional, physical and spiritual balance in a way that feels down‑to‑earth and doable.
You’ll hear how stress, anxiety, big life changes and even good news can knock someone off centre, and why that doesn’t mean they’ve failed. Jen shares how movement, yoga and simple habits like walking, breathing exercises and getting outside can calm the nervous system and support mental health. There’s a strong message for anyone in alcohol or addiction recovery: you don’t need dramatic life overhauls to feel better. Small, consistent actions are what count.
Jen sums it up simply: “Pick one small habit… But then practise it consistently. Small actions, repeated time over time create the most meaningful change.” If you’re feeling frazzled, stretched thin, or struggling to keep recovery and everyday responsibilities in sync, this conversation offers gentle, practical ideas to help you steady yourself without piling on guilt. Which small adjustment could help you feel just a bit more balanced today?
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