6 Simple Stress Busters

Stress affects us in so many ways. We get cranky, tense and nervous. It impairs our relationships. It affects us physically. Life can seem like a tangled mess.

Here are 6 simple stress busters:

Identify the stressors.Once you identify it, you know who or what causes the most stress and can deal with it. What task brings the most stress? Can you do some tasks the night before in preparation for the next day? While you can’t get rid of your family, but you can learn to manage the stress of running the household.

Simplify. Look at your calendar to see how much of your time is filled with appointments and commitments. Prioritize your schedule. Everything cannot have the same weight of importance. Leave some margins in your daily routine to regroup. Remember Mary and Martha? One frantically worked and the other peacefully listened to the Savior. Jesus commended Mary for spending time at his feet.

Live in the present. Enjoy today. Worrying about tomorrow or rehashing what happened yesterday intensifies the stressors. Today is all we have. Today is what we can impact. Jesus gave us good wisdom regarding worry:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

Be kind to yourself. Check your personal expectations. Are you expecting too much of yourself? Are you taking care of yourself? In the busyness of living it is easy to neglect self-care. But it is necessary. Eating healthy foods, drinking enough water, getting adequate sleep and exercise help the body to function better.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8).

Think positive thoughts. Be intentional about filling your mind with what is uplifting. Focus on scripture. Listen to Christian music. Write down the blessings in your life.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Refocus through worship. Take a deep breath and remember that the Creator of the universe loves you and sees you. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus said,

“But seek first his (your heavenly Father’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Make it a priority to seek God. Spend time in personal worship as the words of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen H. Lemmel suggest:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWxb6VvPrkE

If your life is a tangled mess of stress, consider doing at least one of these stress busters: identify the stressor, simplify your schedule, be kind to yourself, live in the present, think positive thoughts, and refocus in worship. <click to tweet>

Which one are you most likely to do?

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*My thanks to “Where Moms Connect” by Group Publishing for the lesson ‘Lighten Up, DeStress and Lift Your Spirits.’