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Understanding and Managing Stress (Part 2)

Successful stress management frequently relies on reducing stress and/or removing the stressors. However, it’s important that we have a good foundation before we apply and use any strategies or habits.

 

Exercise, watching TV, gaming, reading, etc., are not bad; however, we need to be careful that we are not self-medicating through distraction. We need to reflect on whether we are using these distractions to simply take our minds off the stressor.

Practicing distraction and forgetfulness, opting for comfort instead of discomfort, and avoiding conflicts are not inherently bad; however, we must be cautious not to neglect pursuing forgiveness and reconciliation, or addressing our health, financial issues, or anything that is causing the stress.

There is only one way a muscle grows—through stress. A muscle that is rarely exercised shrinks into uselessness. A muscle seldom stretched beyond its usual limits can only maintain itself. It cannot grow. To grow, a muscle must be taxed. Unusual demands must be placed upon it. Stress is an opportunity to grow.

 

Turn to God

 

The truth is we need healing, forgiving, restoring, and the transformative grace of God who loves us all. Only someone stronger than our greatest weaknesses, bigger than our worst failure, and brighter than our deepest darkness could help us address our problems.

 

God uses stress to draws us to himself:

 

Time and time again it was said of the people of Israel, “But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sort him, and he was found by them.”

2 Chronicles 15:4.

 

It was in Jonah’s darkest hour, in his most stressful circumstances that he said, this: “In my distress I called to the Lord and he answered me.” Jonah 2:2

 

The Psalms are full of references of turning to God, seeking Him in times of intense stress and anxiety.



Take time for physical activity

 

When it comes to decreasing stress, the benefits of physical activity are undeniable. Regular exercise – even for just 20-minutes, three times a week – can be highly beneficial for stress management. The key is to find an exercise that works with your lifestyle and most importantly, the one that you enjoy.

Keeping a balance, rest, recreation, and relationships, managing time, conflict, saying no, and prioritising.


Sleep it off


Another important but seriously underrated way to reduce stress is to prioritise sleep! It seems simple, and, in a way, it totally is. Sleep can aid in reducing stress through reducing our adrenal activity, which works to bring down our circulating stress hormones. Quality sleep is critical in reducing stress and fatigue and in turn increasing our productivity, immunity, mood, and overall health.


Once we know how stress impacts us, we can explore various strategies to manage it. This might include:


·       Keep physically, socially, and mentally fit so that stress has less impact on us. Holidays are important for building resilience

·       Maintain a positive attitude. Drop the “shoulds, musts, always, and nevers” from the vocabulary

·       Diet and exercise

·       Limit alcohol

·       Balance life, work, home, church, and relationships

 

It is also vital to recognize when we need professional help. Persistent or overwhelming stress might require the guidance of a counsellor or psychologist who can provide tailored strategies to help us better cope with stress.


When we pause to reflect, we give ourselves the opportunity to understand the specific ways in which stress manifests in our lives. It might be physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue, emotional signs such as irritability or anxiety, or even behavioral changes like withdrawing from social activities or overeating. Identifying these signs is essential because it allows us to address stress proactively. We can talk more about this and other mental health concerns; just reach out to us.

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