3 Simple Tips To Support Yourself During Times of Stress
My New Years 2022 did NOT start off the way I had hoped…..
Instead, I had a really fun (NOT) battle with COVID the first 3 weeks of January. My family and I STILL wonder why the heck it lasted so long – and how I got so sick – given how much I do to keep myself healthy and my immune system strong.
While on vacation with my family last week, I took some time to slow down. As I looked out the condo windows at the beautiful mountain view and asked myself “WHY,” this ONE, 6-lettered word came up so strongly from my gut (which ironically is where your immune system lives): S-T-R-E-S-S
They say the 3 biggest stressors in life are DEATH, MOVING, and DIVORCE. I faced 2/3rds of those in a year and a half….We moved to a new state and had 3 deaths in the family (in a 3 week period). Add a pandemic, having no friends or community around plus making some pivots with my Health Coaching practice —- sister, that’s a recipe for some serious, serious, serious stress. It’s no wonder my body has been acting up lately…. It started with my neck issues getting worse over the summer……..then Vertigo in November and then COVID in January. And you gotta understand — I don’t get sick all that often. So this was a BIG wake up call. I was being forced to STOP and LISTEN to my body.
So, what about you? Are you stressed in any way?
I am asking you this because chronic S-T-R-E-S-S leads to a lot of problems – and one of the first things to be affected is your health. And guess what? Your physical health is not the only thing affected by stress…. Your emotional, mental and spiritual health can all be touched too.
I’d like to give you 3 practical tips to managing stress that you can implement right away. There is so much more, but let’s just start with 3 to keep it simple (cause’ I’m alllll about simplicity!)
TIP #1: PRAY
I can’t stress (no pun intended) this enough: Prayer = a lifeline. When you are stressed, getting back to your faith can be a game-changer. God WANTS to help you. In fact, when you are at a loss on what to do, the Bible encourages you to ask God to help you! This is NOT about spending an hour in prayer. Sometimes the best prayer is, “Come, Holy Spirit. I need Your help!”
James 1:5 says this: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
TIP #2 TALK TO SOMEONE
Sometimes we just need to talk it out and process with someone else who isn’t emotionally involved. Reach out to a trusted friend, your Pastor/Priest, a coach or even a therapist about what you are going through. You may just need a listening ear and not someone to give you answers. And sometimes you need some advise.
Oftentimes when you share what’s going on – when you are verbalizing it out loud – clarity comes rushing in. The “ah hah” moment lands on you as well as the answers you need….and you’ll experience some stress relief.
TIP #3 SLEEP
When you are stressed out, you really need to be mindful of your self-care. As tempting as it may be to stay up super late binge watching your fave show (nothing wrong with binging on TV BTW), if you need to get up early the next morning to take kids to school or to start your work day, please do this one thing for yourself (and the people you will have to associate with the following day): go to bed at a decent hour!!!! A decent hour = a time that allows for you to get a good 7-8 even 9 hours of rest. You NEED it. When you get the rest your body needs, you will be better equipped to handle the stresses you are under.
I’d love to know which of these 3 tips resonate most with you or which one you are going to implement. Please comment below to share your thoughts!