Life is busier than ever, isn't it? You are nonstop, right? You're worn out, spread thin, and in
desperate need of a vacation.
Thing is, when never pause, we have decided that stress wins. And when stress wins, we
suffer. Stress is negatively impacts every system in your body.
I dare you, I challenge you, to say enough is enough and PUMP YOUR BRAKES.
Here are 14 real life ways to swap stress for serenity:
1. Eat right. When you eat junk food, you will be tired and irritable. When you eat foods that God grows, however, you feel energized and happy.
2. Move. Exercising, walking, and any activities you love (kitchen dancing, anyone?) will energize and provide healthy outlet for stress.
3. Pray / Read your Bible / Worship. Putting God as #1 is not negotiable. Chores don't trump time with God. TV doesn't get priority over God. I know it may not be a 60-minute quiet time, but this is nurturing your relationship with our Creator! You'll spend an eternity with Him, so don't wait to enjoy talking with Him, learning about Him, and listening to Him. He alone can ease worries and fears and pacify you with His peace, so crank that worship music!
4. Massage. Touch is a powerful thing, and it can really help woes melt away. Use a foam roller or massage gun, schedule a professional massage, or swap massages with your spouse!
6. Baths. I know it seems cliche, but a bubble bath is underrated and super fabulous. You will not regret soaking in silence to decompress. You cannot do dishes from the bathtub! You cannot answer emails from the bathtub!
7. Rest. Do whatever it takes to get enough sleep at night. Try to sneak under the covers just 15 minutes early each night. Do whatever it takes to tiptoe away for a 30-minute power nap on Sundays. When we carve out time to physically be still, we will later be more productive and less grouchy.
8. Outsource. Instead of feeling buried under 89 tasks a day, outsource. Hire a babysitter so you can create content or schedule consultations. Order your groceries online. Find a groupon for a deep house cleaning every 6 months. Let other people help you so you're not shouldering the world!
9. Sex. It's fun, it's free! Be intentional about getting naked with your spouse regularly. What a great avenue for relaxing and getting a bunch of happy hormones to chase away grumpiness!
10. Laugh. Go rent a comedy this week! Something powerful is unleashed when we can just belly laugh. Go to lunch with your funniest friend who always tells the best jokes! It's the cheapest medicine, right?
11. Hobbies. You are a big deal, and you need to thrive. Create boundaries against stress by being intentional about doing what you love -- painting, sewing, taking pictures, playing music, etc.
12. Relax. See how it feels to change up your schedule and just relax. Deep breaths on the couch. Reading a book on the back deck. Sitting in your closet with your Bible. Lying on your bed, mentally planning your next dream vacation. Remember, the goal is to prevent implosion and to really have a high quality of life. Your To Do list will never be conquered, so just ignore it for a few minutes each day.
13. Say no. More often than you think you should. We are not called to take on more and more and more; we are called to do the will of God. Saying no may be hard, but in the end, it brings so much freedom!
14. Don't multitask. NO ONE multitasks well, so just quit that nonsense. Do one thing at a time. Just one. You’ll be more efficient with your time and energy, which translates to serenity!
Guest Writer:
Debbie Baisden is a remarried widow who went from hating salads and avoiding sweat, to loving nutrition and fitness. A crazy mom of four boys, her days are filled with volume, wildness, and destruction. She lives in North Carolina and loves cuddling their rescue dogs, joking with her kids, and watching trash TV with her husband. Staying anchored in Jesus, her focus is “In His strength and for His glory.”
