When I’m stressed, the last thing I think of doing is just sitting. I constantly feel as though I need to be doing something. I tell myself I need to make full use of every second of the day moving down the endless list of jobs I give myself. However, if we don’t rest, we will never feel well and truly calm. If we aren’t still for even a short amount of time, we get distracted by busyness and even begin to neglect our mental, physical and emotional health. Rest is so important. Although it doesn’t feel like rest will help to reduce the stress you are feeling, a moment of time out allows you to put your worries into perspective, gives you a clearer mind and hopefully helps you see a way to complete all the tasks on your to do list without pushing yourself to exhaustion. I am the sort of person that, when stressed, convinces myself that rest will not help me in any way, I tell myself I don’t need it. But even God rested. Genesis 2:2 discusses God’s creation of the universe. It says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” If the God of the universe rested, so should we.
Jesus also led by example by frequently withdrawing from all the crazy, and finding a place to rest and pray. I used to believe that resting meant that I was weak, that I was incapable of doing simple tasks. However, it is a sign of strength to put down the to do list and instead, taking some time to recharge.
Write it down – Something I like to do when I’m stressed and trying to rest is to write down all the things that are on my mind. This is a really good way to physically put your thoughts on paper and more often than not, once they are all written down, there are way less things on the paper than you thought were filling your mind. Even if there is a long list, being able to see all the thoughts written down allows you to think rationally about it and think of an action plan or solution to the stress.
Walk – Going for a walk (or a run) helps me to completely clear my mind. I especially love when it is colder outside as going on a walk in the cool air helps me to feel refreshed. As well as this, being outside allows me to put my situation into perspective and I realise that my to do list isn’t as huge as I made it out to be. When you’re busy trying to complete tasks and resolve problems, you don’t have much time to actually think. Giving yourself some time to walk also gives you time to do this.
Challenge yourself – Sometimes doing something challenging like finishing a puzzle or playing a video game helps reduce your stress. Doing a task like this helps completely take your mind off of the list of things you need to do and instead places your focus on something else for a period of time.
Music – Sitting in silence and listening to music really calms me. An artist I love listening to in the midst of my stress is Lauren Daigle. Just reflecting on her powerful lyrics and thinking about what they mean to me gives me as sense of peace that a lot other things couldn’t.
Quiet – Sometimes silence is what brings complete calm to your situation. I know a lot of people who will have a warm bath when they are stressed. They like to use bath oils, salts or bath bombs which really comforts them. Other people I know love to sit in a quiet space and read when they are stressed. I like reading when I’m stressed sometimes as it gives me the opportunity to lose myself in someone else’s world. Getting invested in the life of a fictional character for a small amount of time helps reduce the emphasis you are putting on your stress.
Talk to someone – I have found that sitting down with someone and sharing your thoughts really helps relieve some of the weight you are carrying. By having a conversation with someone about the things you are stressed or worried about, you no longer feel as though you are juggling all these issues on your own. Doing this allows you to receive support and encouragement and the knowledge that you have someone to turn to when you are overwhelmed is very comforting.
Challenge: Take time to rest this week and try at least one of the things listed above to help you recharge.