Welcome back to 31 Days to Less Stress! I hope you are planned and ready for next week so you can enjoy your weekend.
We are back to Saturday where we talk about stress and our relationships. Today, I want us to think about how we take time for ourselves. While this is not a relationship per se, it has a significant impact on our relationships.
Your list of priorities likely includes God, family, and friends. When you are sleep-deprived, over-stressed, or unhealthy, what impact does that have on those who are important to you? If we don’t take care of ourselves, our relationships will likely suffer.
This is something I have really struggled with, and I know how hard it can be. Sometimes fast food just seems easier than cooking. I know I should exercise, but I’m tired so I think I’ll just watch TV instead. I go to the store intending to buy healthy foods, but the produce doesn’t look that great and cookies are on sale. Does this sound familiar?
The choices we make when we are tired or stressed are most often not the best choices. You must become intentional about making better choices for yourself. What are some good decisions you can make to better care for yourself ?
Here are a few suggestions:
- If your time with God is suffering because you are distracted or tired, try to find a time when you are at your best or try a new Bible study that interests and challenges you.
- If you are struggling from lack of sleep, make sleep a priority. Aim to go to bed a little earlier each night.
- If you aren’t making good decisions about healthy eating, create a meal plan, and then a shopping list to go with the plan. Make sure you don’t go to the store when you are hungry, and stick to your list when you are shopping.
- If your weight is a concern, consider making movement goals each day. Also, check with your health insurance. Some cover nutritionist services to help you learn about healthier choices you can make.
- If finances are causing you stress, create a budget. Programs like Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University can also help you with better planning your finances.
- If your stress levels are high, take a breather. Do something that helps you relax, like taking a bubble bath or see these tips.
Taking care of yourself is necessary to live more joyfully and to better love and serve those around you. Identify areas you have neglected in caring for yourself and brainstorm solutions. Pray and ask God to help you take care of the life he has given you!
Leave a Reply