I’m sure we’ve all experienced the hassle of a busy life. The stress, the breakdown, sometimes the regrets, and asking yourself “why did I choose to do this?”. It can be very frustrating for sure.
I know it may sound absurd if I tell you that regardless of the stress, you can always find ways to cope. It might not be easy but it’s worth the try! Here are a few ways I have learned to cope. I hope it helps you.
1. Pray and ask God for strength:
Lately, I have been learning to ask God for strength to get through each day because I am a very busy person and the stress can be really overwhelming. The whole day’s activities can be so overwhelming and draining. You can just say a short prayer “Lord, please give me strength; I cannot do it on my own” and he gives you strength. I have learned this and the way I get strengthened I even get amazed.
2. Take a shower when you get home:
Once I get back, I put food in the microwave or prepare lunch and shower and this does a lot of wonders. Having a shower is really refreshing and soothing, it washes off the day and opens a new chapter for the rest of the day.
3. Organize your day:
Try to figure out the things you want to do/ achieve the next day. Don’t just go through the day as it comes. I’ve realized that when you have an idea of what you want your day to look like, a mental picture, and organized activities, it becomes less stressful because your mind and body have prepared themselves for the task ahead.
Learn to take notes of things you have to do and write them as you remember.
4. Avoid stress eating:
It’s also known as “emotional eating”, I do this a lot especially when I feel like I have been too stressed for the day. Stress-eating involves using food as a coping mechanism to help you feel better usually when you are in a stressful situation. It actually has nothing to do with physical hunger and has everything to do with soothing or suppressing uncomfortable feelings and situations just to make yourself feel happy.
5. Take out time to be introspective
Generally, introspection involves looking inward to try to understand ourselves. It plays an important role in mental health.
It’s very easy to be very busy doing a lot of things that you don’t really ask yourself some questions to figure out how all these activities have impacted your life or if you are making any progress at all. Asking yourself questions like:
- Who do I want to be?
- Is what I’m doing yielding the result I want?
- How do I really feel about myself?
- Is this really where I want to be?
- Can I do more or better?
- What do I really want in life?
- What matters most to me?
- What is the next step for me?
- Is there anything I need to improve on?
Most times, where we find ourselves in is just a passage or doorway to our actual destination. So regardless of where you find yourself, give yourself some time to breathe. Take some time out to think and assess.
6. Do something fun on your day off or the weekend:
If you are given a day off or if you have your weekends to yourself, do something fun. Take ice cream, go to the beach, hang out with friends, visit that new restaurant or even sleep. That way you come back to work the next day feeling refreshed.
7. Enjoy where God has brought you:
Always remember that whatever position you find yourself in, God brought you there. Regardless of how much stress you feel, find time to enjoy yourself, have fun and relax. God calls us to enjoy life where we are now.
A fulfilled life isn’t about where you want to be in five years or what you will have, but where God has you now and the steps you are taking to be better.
Try not to focus on the negativity around you. Instead, focus your attention on something more positive. Listen to some relaxing music and remember stressing over the job you have to do won’t take away the work that needs to be done. If you just accept it and don’t resist it, it will get easier.
When you feel like everything is going south or becoming too stressful, take a deep breath, say a short prayer or just go to the bathroom and wash your face, for those who don’t have make-up on…lol.
