Stress is a part of life. But it can be toxic to your health — emotional, spiritual, and physical — if it’s not managed properly. Consequently, learning how to handle it is imperative.
Here are 10 ways that I’ve found helpful in handling stress in my own life. Perhaps you can add some that have worked for you:
1. Take some deep breaths . . . six in a row.
2. Turn to the Lord and cast all your cares on Him out loud (where you can hear yourself pray). Peter gives us a clear exhortation here: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And so does the Psalmist: “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).
3. Exercise. Walk, run, lift weights, or any other kind of exercise.
4. Drink lots of water. 8 glasses in a day is a good yardstick.
5. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to people’s demands and requests if it interferes with other priorities. Make sure you have time carved out for solitude and reflection.
6. Listen to music that makes you feel happy.
7. Watch a movie.
8. Do things that make you laugh. Laughter is great medicine (Proverbs 17:22).
9. Talk to a friend you trust and pour out your heart to them.
10. Take minerals and vitamins that balance the tempo of your body. And eat fruit, vegetables, and nuts each day.
What do you do to manage stress?
Great point! I’m a campus pastor that has struggled suddenly with panic attacks over the past 3 months. Revealed the frailty in me. Things i have done.
-Going to bed early helps when I do it.
-Completely gave up caffeine. (Worth it when you feel how relaxed the other side is.)
-empty my inbox once per day
- work out
- green machine with nutribullet every morning
- listen to one podcast per day or read.
- lift other’s projects and successes up.
- reveal my struggle honestly, regularly but not annoyingly
Helpful stuff. Thx
Evan
Mental: For intense stress physically manifesting in my well-being I look first and foremost to face it head on and deal with it both practically and in the over-arching sense (i.e. all my identity needs is to rest in Him).
Relational: Being part of a healthy community that regularly meets around common interests helps me deal with stress particularly in natural and enjoyable settings (gardening and music in my case) particularly when you are working together to help others.
Physical: Regular intense exercise (30+ minutes at a time) particularly on a schedule is tremendously helpful along with a more natural and balanced diet.
Emotional: I’m a guy — I don’t have emotions…
When I have a stressful week, what gets me through is spending time with my Church family. Used to, when church was a “place” I went to, I was also stressed because you had to put on a show for people you really didn’t know. Now, we all sit around in our homes sharing God’s Word with people whom we share our daily lives together. It’s peaceful serenity!
Great pointers, thanks Frank and others.
Some of my offerings – on the physical side, getting adequate amount of sleep, in addition to vitamins and vegetables, a better and healthier diet, getting outside.
Practical things; helping someone else out, serve them and put them first, or go do some good deeds.
On the spiritual side I will read the Word, I will sing and worship, and I will speak in tongues
Actually, here’s how to calculate the correct amount of water you should be drinking according to my nutritionist. Take half your body weight and drink that number in ounces. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds you should drink 50 ounces of water per day.
I try to fire the judge/lawyer in my head that wants to continually repeat negative conversations or events over and over again in order to get me to begin the offense/resentment/bitterness cycle.
Find a way to escape into nature & solitude! For me – it’s a walk on the beach!
Randi
I try to take a nap or get to bed extra early if I feel stress coming on. Many times I find that the anxiety that comes from stress is greatly reduced if I can get some extra sleep. Usually when I begin to feel more anxious, I am able to pin-point recent sleep patterns and find that much of my stress is coming from too little rest.
I’m a pretty even tempered person … nothing too much causes me anxiety, usually only a family crisis of which I have my fair share of. When something like that kicks in, I refer to your list of 15 “crisis” points which I’ve nearly memorized.
I like point one, breathe deeply, and that’s usually what I do first. Point two makes me laugh…the out loud part; I think I would frighten myself if I did that because I don’t do well with noise but I do the same thing quietly. The other points work for me and do most of those daily.
I like how you’re so practical and better than my Doctor.
Great ideas!
I like to get out of myself by looking for someone to help. Usually you don’t have to look too hard to find them.
I go down in the bottom of the boat with Jesus as the storm rages and spend time with Him where I focus on Him and, He renews my strength. I acknowledgement my dependence on Him through life’s situation. I find a place of rest and calm and a renewed place of trust when I go down into the belly of the boat and just lie down with Him. (Jesus was asleep during the storm, and the disciplines had to go down and wake him to calm the storm.)
I use something called Emotional Freedom Technique with great success. Much of our stress is caused by old belief systems, trauma, negative emotions, etc. EFT helps one to notice what is going on inside when we feel stressed, ‘lean into’ the stress and then using a simple tapping technique, choose to ‘let it go’. Amazing!
I also use Emotional Freedom Technique.
I stop, take a few deep breathes, think of a loved one, tell them I appreciate them, be sincere.
All of the above are great recommendations. I’ve been told that one of the most important ways to get out of a “funk” or depression (often brought on from high stress) is to get up and do something. Any healthy activity, as you listed above: movies, walking, running, visit or call a friend, etc. As an added bonus, I’ve installed a punching bag in my garage, which I’ve found therapeutic in various ways.
Good reminder to “stop and smell the roses.” Something a fatherly friend used to remind me often. We have a botanical garden nearby I come to often when I’m stressed from work. Love it.
You forgot… chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Thanks for the reminders that stress doesn’t have control if we take measures to guard against it.
I do all of the above plus I write in my journal. I also like to make lists. It keeps me focused on what is important; plus there is a great feeling of checking something off the list. Most importantly, I try to remember who’s expectations I am trying to meet (God comes first) and check to make sure I am not putting unreal expectations on myself or others.
Thanks Frank. Some real practical things here.
One phrase that Graham Cooke used was to step back into God. He was using it as a means of stepping back to just check out what God was saying into a situation after getting a word or picture, before giving a prophecy. To me it speaks of stepping back into the enfolding arms of God, to glimpse the world from that place of safety before adventuring forth. That place keeps me sane
I was going to add learn to say no but Frank already included it. However, I will emphasize that it is one of the best stress relievers, especially for a kind-hearted women.
Joanna, I love the feel of stepping back into God. Thank you.