Stress is a word that never goes away. It comes in many different forms in many ways. While everyone deals with it, what can set apart a good day compared to a bad day is how we manage or handle it. I want to give you five ways to help build resiliency against stress to help manage your life. Taking these steps is a choice you have to make for yourself every day in order to ensure that you’ve got your stress under control.
- Develop skills that craft our perspective
This is going to look different for everyone. Maybe you like to read or meditate, for some it might be prayer time or sitting outside watching the sun rise. Whatever it is for you, this is how we can hit the “pause button” on our day to help us slow down. This quiet time puts us in a healthy state of mind so when the first bump in the road comes, we have taken a step towards equipping ourselves to handle it in a positive and patient manner.
- Be Social
I know you might be thinking, “Well, what if I am an introvert?” The good news is that this is more of a mindset than anything. Being social in a stress-relieving way really refers to putting others before ourselves. Having a servant hood mindset can really allow us to make a difference in other people’s lives and alleviates stress in our own lives by having a deeper sense of fulfillment. For example, there is a reason why Chick-fil-A sets themselves apart from every other fast food joint, because every time you order or get a refill their response is “my pleasure.” How would your own personal life look different if you had a “my pleasure” type of attitude. Try it!
- Focus on the Power of Gratitude
Finding things that you are thankful for is the antidote to combatting stress or anxiety. Each day is a new opportunity for us to focus on the good, allowing our problems to shrink back because we are fixated on the things that bring us joy and happiness, instead of the things that overwhelm us. The old saying “you get what you look for” is true. There will always be something wrong, but we don’t have to put our focus on that. Let’s put our focus on the things we are grateful for!
- Healthy Habits
Along with practicing good thoughts, we also want to practice good physical choices. This is another component of building resiliency. The better choices we make with what we put into our body, the better we will feel. This is not just a choice we make, this is an investment in our own health. Where do you see yourself in 20 years? What decisions are you making right now that will allow you to be healthy down the road.
- Mindfulness
Pay attention to how you feel. Mindfulness is a connection from our emotions to our bodies. What are the things in your life that make you feel good? Do those things more! What are the things in your life that make you feel bad? Pay attention to how you feel during interactions or decisions. It will tell you whether or not you need to spend more or less time doing those activities.
