To deal effectively with stress, you need to think about your physical health, the way you interact with others, and your goals and priorities in life—that is, what you consider to be truly important. This article will review some practical principles that can help you to deal better with stress and perhaps even reduce it.
Try to Live One Day at a Time
“Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties.”—MATTHEW 6:34.
Meaning: Daily anxieties are a part of life. But do not increase today’s anxieties by adding tomorrow’s to them. Try to live one day at a time.
Stress can cause anxiety. So try this: First, recognize that some stress is inevitable. Fretting over things you cannot prevent increases your stress. Second, understand that quite often things do not turn out the way we may fear they will.
Set Reasonable Standards
“The wisdom from above is . . . reasonable.”—JAMES 3:17.
Meaning: Do not be a perfectionist. Avoid setting unrealistically high standards for yourself or others.
Be modest, set reasonable standards, and know both your limitations and those of others. When you do this, you will reduce stress all around and even encourage greater success. Also, keep a sense of humor. When you laugh—even when something goes wrong—you relieve tension and brighten your mood.
Know What Stresses You
“A discerning man will remain calm.”—PROVERBS 17:27.
Meaning: Negative emotions can cloud clear thinking, so try to stay calm.
Identify what stresses you, and note your response. For example, when you feel stressed, note your thoughts, feelings, and behavior, perhaps even making a record of them. By becoming more aware of your response to stress, you may be able to deal with it more effectively. Also, think of ways to eliminate stressful things from your life. If that is unrealistic, look for ways to reduce their impact, perhaps by managing your tasks or time more efficiently.
Try to see things in a different light. What stresses you may not stress someone else. The difference may be in viewpoint. Consider these three suggestions:
Do not be quick to assume bad motives. A person may cut ahead of you in a line. If you attribute his act to rudeness, you may become upset. Instead, why not assume that his motive was good? You may be right!
See the positive side of a situation. A long wait at a doctor’s office or an airport is easier to bear if you use the time to do some reading or to catch up on work or e-mail.
Keep the big picture in mind. Ask yourself, ‘Will this problem be a big issue tomorrow or next week?’ Distinguish between minor or short-term issues and more serious ones.
Try to Be Orderly
“Let all things take place decently and by arrangement.”—1 CORINTHIANS 14:40.
Meaning: Try to maintain order in your life.
We like a reasonable amount of order in life. One thing that can contribute to disorder—and stress—is procrastination, and this may lead to a growing list of unfinished tasks. Why not try these two suggestions?
Make a practical schedule, and stick to it.
Identify and correct any attitudes that cause you to procrastinate.
Set Priorities
“Make sure of the more important things.”—PHILIPPIANS 1:10.
Meaning: Carefully consider your priorities.
List your tasks in order of importance. This will help you focus on the more important jobs, and it will reveal which ones you can put off, delegate, or even eliminate.
For a week, keep track of how you use your time. Then look for ways to make better use of it. The more you are in control, the less pressured you will feel.
Schedule some downtime. Even short breaks can reinvigorate you and reduce your stress.
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