“Be still, and know that I am God…”—Psalm
46:10 (KJV)
“Be anxious for nothing…” Philippians
4:6
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I
give unto you…” –John 14:27
We aren’t
meant to live in chaos or confusion. That’s helpful to remember when the planning
and attending of holiday events brings us stress. It’s
easy to allow family visits, the buying of gifts, and various projects, to
overwhelm us.
The duties
and obligations may seem to never end. When
we factor in the challenges we’re usually dealing with, it’s enough to make us
want to pull our hair out.
The Need for Rest
Mary and Martha
In Luke 10,
Jesus visits the house of sisters Mary and Martha. Mary is happy to sit by
Jesus and listen to his teachings. She is relaxed and peaceful. Martha, on the
other hand, is anxious about fulfilling the household duties. Jesus tells
Martha her sister has made a good choice: relaxation.
Elijah
In 1 Kings
19, Elijah is allowed to sleep and eat before the angel puts him back to work.
He needs a break from the trauma of fighting Jezebel.
Solutions for Stress
1. Prioritize
It won’t be
the end of the world if we decorate the Christmas tree a little later than
usual. Some individuals might decide they don’t need the usual amount of
decorations, also.
We often
cannot do everything expected of us. A
person must simplify his life and reduce his workload, which allows for optimum
mental and physical health. Hard choices are often necessary, such as
choosing between the “should do’s” and
the “must do’s”
Urgent
|
Important
|
Finish a long-term project at work or
home.
|
Help your kid with a homework
assignment.
|
Attend a scheduled party with friends.
|
Plan your upcoming family holiday gathering.
|
Organize and clean your workspace.
|
Get your home in order first.
|
2. Take a Break
There are a
variety of relaxation methods. Individuals
know what works best for them.
What helps
you to relax? What winds you down and makes you actually forget the passing of
time? Let’s look at some options:
- Music
- Reading/Writing
- Crafts/Hobbies
- Entertainment
- Sports/Exercise/Physical Activity
The benefits
of laughter are widely known. It
releases endorphins. These are
neurotransmitters that relieve pain and create feelings of deep pleasure. In
other words, endorphins promote a natural high and a release of tension. What’s
not to like?
Obviously,
what’s funny to one person may not affect someone else in the same manner. Humor
is subjective. For instance, my husband enjoys puns; I don’t. Each person must
find what works for them.
I’m a
reserved person, but I enjoy laughing at certain things I hear, read, or see. Laughter
can instantly clear my mind of darkness.
4. Give Service
This is giving
the gift of us, which is priceless. In the process, we forget our problems. We
take the focus off our challenges, if only temporarily.
Individuals
have a variety of options for officially and unofficially giving help to
others. Religious and medical organizations, schools, and charities are
examples of official avenues to helping people. Unofficial ways to help may
come up anytime, anywhere; there’s no limit. We just have to keep our eyes and
ears open.
My Conclusion
The holidays
are a hectic time for many of us. We have no option but to choose where and how
we spend our time and energy. Another good idea is to take breaks from routine.
Some options are to do something we love, to laugh, or to give service. These
activities will help keep us mentally and physically balanced.
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