MANAGING STRESS Part 3

Accepting the things you can't change:

1. Don't try to control the uncontrollable. We can't control how other people behave but we can control how we react.

2. Look for the upside. Try to look for opportunities for personal growth. Mistakes are inevitable. Learn from the mistakes.

3. Learn to forgive. Forgiveness is recognizing that you were wounded, not sweeping it under the carpet. It is better to free yourself from bitterness rather than holding another person hostage.

Make time for fun and relaxation:

1. Set aside time for relaxation. This must be intentional.

2. Connect with people that fill you up not drain you.

3. Try to do something you enjoy every day.

4. Keep your sense of humor. Don't take yourself so seriously.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle:

1. Exercise regularly

2. Eat healthy

3. Reduce caffeine and sugar.

4. Get enough sleep.

Hopefully these last three blogs have been helpful in your journey to a more balanced and less stressed life.

(Thanks to HELPGUIDE.ORG for these helpful tips.)

MANAGING STRESS Part 2

Alter the situation:

If you can't avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn't present itself in the future. Here are some ways to do that.

1. Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If you don't express your feelings you may build up resentment and the situation may remain the same.

2. Be willing to compromise. If you are willing to bend a little bit, compromise could likely be found. But if you remain rigid the stressful situation may never change.

3. Be more assertive. Deal with problems head on. Procrastinating can often keep the situation in limbo.

4. Learn to manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. Do a better job of planning ahead rather than always running behind. Running behind always increases your stress level.

Adapt to the stressor:

1. Reframe the problem. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Look at it as time to pause and regroup.

2. Look at the big picture. Ask yourself, "Will it matter in a month?" Is it really worth getting upset over.

3. Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection.

4. Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, focus on all the great things God has done in your life. It often puts things back into perspective.

Until next time: RELAX

STRESS part 1

It has been documented that being a pastor is ranked as one of the number one most stressful jobs in America, along with being a University President and a Hospital Administrator.

So the question I want to address is this: How are you coping with stress. The next several blogs will give you some practical ways to manage the stress in your life.

#1 Avoid unnecessary stress. Not all stress can be avoided but some stressors can be eliminated.

- Learn how to say no. Refuse to accept added responsibilities when you are close to reaching your limit.

- Avoid people who stress you out. Try to limit the time you spend with the person other than your family who stresses you out the most.

- Take control of your environment. Turn the radio or TV off, or shut your door. Find some solitude. Etc.

- Pare down your to-do list. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you have too much on your plate distinguish between the "shoulds" and "musts". You may need to drop some of the things on the bottom of the list.

#2 Alter the situation. This may involve changing the way you communicate.

- This may mean you will need to express your feelings instead of bottling them up.

- Be willing to compromise. Find middle ground

- Be more assertive. Deal with problems don't run from them.

- Manage your time better. Plan ahead and don't overextend yourself.

I hope these suggestions will help. I will deal with more the next time.