Have you ever been so stressed that you want to just give into all of those pressures—all of the things that have been bogging you down?
I have…I have been there.
To say last week was stressful would be an understatement…but, despite all of the stressors, I know that I have the support of my husband, family, and friends.
And I don’t know what I’d do without them.
Let me tell you a little bit about myself—I am the type of person who likes to get things done–I make a list of things I have to do, and I try to set small goals for myself. If I can’t reach them, or get to all of the items on my list, I save it, or work on them as much as I can. I get stressed easily because sometimes when I need help with a task or something around the house, I try to do it all…can any of you relate?? You have too much on your plate?
Stress is how the brain and body respond dto any demand or stressor in your life–work, major life changes, school, exercise, traumatic events…you name it, and there could be some type of stress that comes from something you do. Stress can affect everyone, but not all stress is bad. There are ways to manage stress, and if it just becomes too much, consider asking for some help.
I know deep down, despite how my brain says, “just do it, Cathrine,” or “keep plugging along instead of taking a break,” that letting small things build and pile up just make life stressful. I know that if I set small goals for myself, that is okay. I can set priorities, and do what I can. Spending time with family and friends is helpful too–relying on others when you need them the most…those things calm me.
Music has always been helpful for me…I listen to music in the car, I sing (terribly) in the shower, I sing silly, made-up songs to my kids and to Sam, but sometimes the best music that I can find, the music that can soothe my soul and calm me are hymns. I heard a song that we sometimes sing in church last night, although not a traditonal hymn, I felt at ease hearing it—
The song? Oceans by Hillsong United.
Here’s the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw
Do you have something in your life that can calm or remind you that everything’s going to be alright? I’d love to hear your ways of handling and managing stress.
Sam is truly my rock–he can sense when I am stressed…and I can tell when he is stressed. We are blessed in that we have one another, and we can talk to one another about what is bothering us, what is stressing us…
Having the right attitude and knowing that we can choose one thought over another can help us in our battles against stress. Here’s to a stress (or less stressful) week!
