3 Practical Steps to Relieve Stress Right Now
Posted on September 23, 2013 by Tres Adames, One of Thousands of Christian Coaches on Noomii.
These are three steps to implement in your life so you can deal with stress effectively.
Being a workaholic is one of the few addictions openly accepted and even encouraged by our culture. If you’re feeling pressured, and it’s having a negative impact on you emotionally, it might be time to step back and reevaluate what you can do to shift your priorities. Here are some practical steps you can start to implement in your life immediately so you can find relief:
1. Schedule Down Time
Work is meant to be performed in rhythm with rest. Just as your body needs rest to recover each day, your emotional and relational life needs downtime as well. While the Sabbath is not strictly prescribed in the New Testament, the principle still applies.
According to Jesus, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
It is to your benefit that you find time to rest. Being obsessed with success and overworking in one area of your life will take away success from other areas of your life. Look over your calendar and set aside a whole day (if possible) where you can rest and relax. Don’t check your email and don’t make business calls that day. During the rest of the week, also set aside a couple hours at the end of each day where you can recharge. Don’t just fill your downtime with watching television or browsing the net. Rekindle a hobby you were passionate about as a child, or discover a new one. Also set aside time to read your bible, pray, meditate, and reflect.
2. Uncommit Yourself
But what if you don’t have the time to schedule a day off or have extra time to recharge? Well maybe it’s time to look over your calendar and let go of certain commitments that have been filling up your schedule. I always suggest trying to come up up with 5 things you can delete from your weekly agenda. A good place to start is identifying commitments that are strictly voluntary and aren’t required. Maybe it’s too many church volunteer opportunities, or an extra work project you’ve taken on. I’ve attached a worksheet at the end of this article that can help you journal your thoughts and process any emotions that may hinder you from letting go.
3. Set Boundaries
The cause of stress doesn’t merely come from the amount of activities one is balancing, but also emerges from getting too involved in other people’s problems. Be careful when other people come to you to discuss their personal or work issues. While it’s admirable to be supportive, the best thing you can do is encourage the person in their own ability to handle the problem. In Scripture, the Apostle Paul tells the Galatians to “carry each other’s burdens” (6:2) but also goes on to tell them that “each one should carry their own load” (6:5). There has to be a balance where you are willing to listen and help others, but also encourage them toown their personal issues without taking responsibility for problems that are not your own.
Investigate your life to see if there are other people who are leaning on you too much and are draining your emotional resources. Learn to set boundaries and don’t be afraid to say “no”, even when it’s hard. In every decision, you have to say “no” to one thing in order to say “yes” to another. Do what is best for you, your family, and your relationship with God before taking on the world.
