“Ways to Reduce Stress”
WOW! I cannot believe that school has started back. Back-to-School sales have been in full swing (since July!), Halloween costumes are already in the stores, and before you know it, Christmas trees will be on sale in town. It seems like advertisers and store owners are always trying to get a jump on the holidays. But their efforts to prevent our procrastination only make us feel the push of time, ever marching onward. Stress is a symptom of our allowing the demands and duties of life to move God out of proper perspective. It’s easy to do. I start to think I am responsible for everything – that “it all depends on me.” That is dangerous thinking. No wonder doctors have noted that undue stress is a possible root cause of many health ailments from obesity to diabetes to heart disease. We let it get to us. But Jesus told his disciples (and us), “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). We are dependent on the grace of a loving, onmipotent God who blesses us and gives us strength! Before the stress hits, consider these 36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress. Take it to Jesus!
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say ‘No’ to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule or will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, remember God is in control.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You every day.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough exercise.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that might improve your quality of life.
21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Don’t wait until its time to go to bed to try to pray.
24. Make friends with godly people and follow Christian examples.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you, Jesus!”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the Universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,
Oliver
WOW! I cannot believe that school has started back. Back-to-School sales have been in full swing (since July!), Halloween costumes are already in the stores, and before you know it, Christmas trees will be on sale in town. It seems like advertisers and store owners are always trying to get a jump on the holidays. But their efforts to prevent our procrastination only make us feel the push of time, ever marching onward. Stress is a symptom of our allowing the demands and duties of life to move God out of proper perspective. It’s easy to do. I start to think I am responsible for everything – that “it all depends on me.” That is dangerous thinking. No wonder doctors have noted that undue stress is a possible root cause of many health ailments from obesity to diabetes to heart disease. We let it get to us. But Jesus told his disciples (and us), “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). We are dependent on the grace of a loving, onmipotent God who blesses us and gives us strength! Before the stress hits, consider these 36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress. Take it to Jesus!
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say ‘No’ to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule or will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, remember God is in control.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You every day.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough exercise.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that might improve your quality of life.
21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Don’t wait until its time to go to bed to try to pray.
24. Make friends with godly people and follow Christian examples.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you, Jesus!”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the Universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,
Oliver
1 comment:
Hum....36 things to do to reduce stress? That stressed me out! HAHA!
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