Motivational Monday
Happy Monday!
Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed occasionally? Frequently? All the time? Between our jobs, businesses, families, churches, and ministries, the number of people who want or need something from us can tend to outnumber the minutes we have in a day. Sometimes it just feels like we have so much on our plate and couldn’t possibly handle anything else. But then… that something else comes along anyway and presents an entirely new set of challenges!
Every day presents a new set of obstacles and opportunities. I’d be less than honest if I told you that I didn’t still feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious sometimes. If life seems to be taking its toll on your physical, emotional, and spiritual health, here are five steps you can implement to begin the process of de-stressing your life.
#1 LEARN YOUR STRESS TRIGGERS
Be aware of what stresses you out? Knowing what triggers stress reactions can help you identify when you are inviting stress into your life. Conflict is definitely one of my stress triggers. I know I can’t avoid all conflict, so I work hard not to invite unnecessary strife into my life. Some battles are not worth fighting.
#2 MONITOR YOUR MEDIA INTAKE
In step one, I wrote about the importance of knowing what your stress triggers are. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I discovered how much influence social media and news can have on me. With little else to do other than taking long walks around the neighborhood, I spent way too much time watching the news and looking at social media, particularly Facebook. I had no idea how toxic this behavior could be. Like many people in 2020, my personal level of stress was at a height I had never experienced in my lifetime. Finally, I realized about mid-summer that if I didn’t cut off the source, it would continue to elevate my stress. So, I cut off the news and limited my Facebook interactions to a few trusted friends.
#3 EXERCISE
Long walks became my therapy during 2020. Science has shown that exercise is one of the best stress relievers out there. Walking clears the mind and boosts endorphins, which in turn reduces stress hormones. Walking in parks where there’s a lot of green always boosts my mood. Being outside and getting an extra helping of Vitamin D doesn’t hurt either.
#4 STOP SAYING YES TO EVERYONE
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s most likely because you’re trying to juggle too many responsibilities. First of all, it’s OK to just step away and break if you feel overwhelmed. It’s also OK to say no to some things. A mentor taught me several years ago to create a “What Not to Do” list. His advice was to reflect on the things you did in the previous year and make a list of those things that don’t need to be there any longer. He talked about setting priorities and non-negotiables. If there is something that is on your list that is negotiable, perhaps it needs to go.
#5 PLAN A TRIP
Taking regular vacations offers documented physical and emotional health benefits. Getting away removes us from stressful situations, and in many cases, it brings us outdoors. Many people claim that they don’t have the money to travel. Still, these same people pay monthly subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu. I have a suggestion. Instead of spending time watching other people live their lives on television, how about creating your own life story? Go see the world that God intended for us to see.
If you got value from this blog post, please leave me a comment and feel free to share it with your friends.
You Rock!
Bill
