Ideas to Reduce Stress in your Life - Part 1

This is the first part of my second “How to...” posts. Last month I published “How to De-stress your Life” which was all about creating tidy surroundings in your home. (My post was about tidying my wardrobe and packing away the Christmas decorations in the New Year)

Today I’m posting points on how to reduce stress in your life. In order not to stress about getting these points workable in your life, take them one at a time, apply them and then move onto the next point.

1. Pray: Acknowledge your need for wisdom and guidance in your daily responsibilities.

2. Go to bed on time: When you’re feeling well-rested, your capacity for handling stress is greater.

3. Get up on time:early enough so that you can start the day unrushed.

4. Start saying “No”: Decline projects you feel are making you feel stressed and overloaded.

5. Delegate: Find the best person to do the job. It doesn’t always have to be you.

6. Simplify your life: Too many tasks demanding attention inevitably cause stress. (See #4)

7. Allow sufficient time to get to places: Over scheduling is another major producer of stress.

8. Pace yourself: Spread out big changes and challenging projects over time. Do not attempt too many difficult things at one time.

9. Take one day at a time: Do today’s work today and let tomorrow’s chores wait until tomorrow. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” ( Matt 6:34a)

10. Separate worries from concerns: If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and release the anxiety. If you cannot you cannot do anything about a situation, forget it.

11. Live within your budget: Do not spend money you cannot afford (watch those credit card purchases). Don’t buy things you cannot afford.

12. Have replacement items: Keep a duplicate car key in your wallet and leave a spare house key with a trusted neighbour.

13. Be consistent: As you lock your car (when out shopping) place your keys in a specific [zipped]compartment in your handbag/purse. When you’ve been handed back your credit card at a pay point, replace it in your purse/wallet.

14. Choose your words carefully: This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. A good tip is to wait for two counts [seconds] and then reply or offer your opinion.

15. Nourish your spirit regularly: Designate a set time (preferably early in the morning) to spend time quietly waiting on God in prayer, praising Him and reading His Word. Have a Bible or spiritual reading matter readily available to peruse while standing in a queue or waiting for a meeting.

Source: (Used in part and partly paraphrased with permission) Every Home for Christ South Africa