10 Tips for Managing Stress

Stress. Who hasn’t felt it this past year? Stress is a normal reaction when we come up against something challenging or frightening. Yet, at times, our bodies cannot seem to let the stress go. It affects every system in the body, including the musculoskeletal (all that tension!) and the cardiovascular (hello, high blood pressure!).

How can we become better at managing stress in a stressful world? First, we need to remember that we are in the world, but we are not of the world. As Christians, we are God’s chosen. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light,” (I Peter 2:9). However, even as sons and daughters of God, we still struggle in the face of obstacles.

Although we may demonstrate a strong faith, our human bodies handle the stress a little differently, raising cortisol levels and creating a cascade of adverse effects throughout the body. But you can learn how to destress and get your mind and body in tune with your spirit.

10 Easy Tips for Managing Stress

Here are ten easy tips for managing stress to get you started:

1. Slow Down

Many people find that busyness creates too much stress in their lives. Even doing good things like working for an income, volunteering in the church, spending time with charitable causes, and helping with a child’s class in school can still create too much of a busy life. We can allow these good things to create unnecessary stress.

Slow down and spend some time praying about what God genuinely wants you to do in this season of life. Seasons change, and what served you before may not serve you now.

2. Find Movement You Love

One of the best ways to combat stress is to move more. You do not have to sign up for a 5K unless that’s your thing but you can start small. Dance around your house while you are cleaning, take a spin class, go for a daily walk, or take up yoga. Find something that gets your heart pumping and that you can see yourself loving for a long time.

For example, some people discover how much they love weightlifting later in life as the exercises teach them breathing techniques as well as helping to strengthen their muscles and change the shape of their bodies.

3. Consume Nutrients

Stress can trigger emotional eating and other eating disorders. Consuming nutritious foods can help counteract these harmful effects. Packaged foods that contain preservatives and dyes can lead to gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and weight gain. By choosing “cleaner” foods, foods that are closer to nature than a factory, you are less likely to experience those symptoms.

It is also harder to overeat certain healthier foods as compared to packaged foods. For example, you may quickly devour a pint of ice cream after a long day of work, but you are less likely to do the same with a bowl of steamed broccoli and a chicken breast. When your body is receiving the appropriate nutrients and care, the cravings for other things lessen.

4. Set Boundaries

It is okay to say no to opportunities. Not every good opportunity is for you. If an offer will cause you too much stress or create opposition to a priority (such as your family), then saying no is your right. It is difficult for people-pleasers to say no. We often want others to like us, and we are afraid we will lose their friendship or confidence by turning an offer down.

However, most people will understand if you simply state, “My plate is too full right now to devote myself one-hundred percent for what this project deserves. Perhaps some other time.”

5. Learn to Flow

Many times, stress is a compounded phenomenon. It accumulates until we cannot take it anymore, and we break down in tears. If you feel this happening, take a step back and evaluate. Are you escalating something small? Are you too rigid in how you think about something? During times of crisis, it is better to become fluid in your mindset.

For example, if you suddenly lose your job, it will not help you to stay stuck in what happened. You will need to become flexible. Perhaps learn new skills to find another job, be willing to accept slightly lower pay for a brief time or uncover what you can do right now to earn an income.

6. Tune Out the News and Social Media

What you constantly set your attention on will take root in your mind. If you are bombarding your morning, noon, and night with breaking news or negative social media feed, then your body will begin to feel the stress. Even after you turn your phone and television off at night, your mind will continue to spin.

It is essential to stay up to date on current events but not become obsessed with them. Spend a few minutes getting caught up and then take a daily sabbatical from the media. If your news feed is triggering anxiety, consider unfollowing specific sites and people.

7. Soul Care for Peace

During the recent pandemic, many churches were closed. However, some churches continued to broadcast live Sunday services with the local staff. These online worship services were not only to share God’s word but to give Christians all over the world peace during a stressful time.

If you are not a member of a church or Christian group, think about finding one. You can find local churches as well as international churches online. Having the support of other Christian brothers and sisters to share with can help lower your stress levels.

8. Self Care for Better Health

Self-care activities can lower your stress level, help you relax, and recenter yourself after a long week (or a long day!). Make a list of activities you can do as a reward and a gift to yourself. They might include a short trip to a thrift store to look at paintings, a visit to your favorite coffee shop, or purchasing a book you have wanted to read.

These activities do not have to cost money either. Spend some time listening to your favorite music, make your favorite dinner, or spend the day in a beautiful location with a picnic basket. The important thing is to take time out for you.

9. Check Your Inner Circle

Is your inner circle supportive or toxic? There are some people you can spend two hours in the company of, but not two days. Evaluate your close family and friends. Obviously, you cannot dismiss those in your family, but you can learn to overlook their behaviors or words, so they no longer hold any power over you. Toxic people will only increase your stress.

If someone’s behavior is causing you problems, consider sitting down with them and discussing how they make you feel with their actions. Seek professional help if you are in an abusive or dangerous relationship.

10. Seek Professional Help

You cannot do everything on your own, and you cannot thrive in isolation. Professional help in the form of clergyman and counselors are available to you. You want someone specializing in the area you are struggling with, whether in relationships, financial struggles, or parenting issues.

Jesus prayed this over you before His crucifixion and resurrection, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16). It is exciting to know that He was speaking not only of His disciples at that time but of you and me right now! The world and current events will stress you out, but you can learn how to change your perception of how these things affect you.

If trying to manage stress on your own does not seem to be working, reach out to us today, and we can help you learn how to cope by teaching you new psychological techniques while leaning on God for understanding and grace.