One of the greatest silent killers of our time is stress. We all have it, and it gets worse all the time. And it's killing us!
What can we do about it? Here are some great suggestions, one for every day of the month. Try incorporating them into your life, one at a time, every day, and see what a difference it makes!
1. Pray, pray, pray. Then leave the results in God's hands. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
2. Go to bed on time, and get plenty of rest. You'll be amazed at what a good night's sleep will accomplish.
3. Get up on time, or even a little bit early, so you can start the day unrushed. This will set the tone for the rest of your day.
4. Every day find time to be alone with God. This will be the most important thing you will do all day.
5. Hug the people who are important to you, and tell them you love them. Everybody needs to hear that they are loved; don't just assume they know it.
6. Eat right. Your body can't operate properly without the proper fuel.
7. Learn to say no to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health. It's okay to say No.
8. Delegate tasks to capable others. And give up that tendency to be a perfectionist. Remember there may be more than one way of doing something, and your way may not always be the best.
9. Simplify and unclutter your life. You cannot organize clutter, you cannot clean clutter; all you can do is get rid of it. You'll be astonished at how much stress this relieves! Remember less is more - more time, more space, more peace.
10. Get organized, so everything has its place. (First you have to do #9.)
11. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. Rushing and trying to beat the clock causes stress. Slow down, take your time.
12. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes or difficult projects over time; don't try to do it all in one sitting. Break large projects down into smaller, more manageable parts.
13. Listen to a taped message or sermon while driving that can help improve the quality of your life.
14. Take one day at a time. Never borrow from the future: if you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you will have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you've worried twice.
15. Separate your worries from concerns. A concern is something you can do something about. If there's nothing you can do about it, it's a worry, and you should refer to #1 above. If it is a concern, find out what God would have you do, and do it!
16. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. Remember, if your OUTgo is more than your INcome, then your UPkeep will be your DOWNfall.
17. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps etc.
18. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. Take time to think before you speak.
19. Do something for the kid in you every day. Don't be afraid to have fun!
20. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. You won't fret over delays when you are doing something productive while you're waiting.
21. Write down your thoughts and inspirations, and anything that inspires you that day.
22. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
23. Make friends with godly people. Our companions influence us, whether for good or for bad, so choose friends that will influence you well.
24. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. Refer to them often throughout the day.
25. Laugh. Laugh out loud, laugh often and laugh long. It truly is the best medicine!
26. Take your work seriously, but don't take yourself seriously.
27. Develop a forgiving attitude. Remember, most people are doing the best they can.
28. Be kind to unkind people. They are probably the ones that need it the most.
29. Practice being patient. So much stress is caused by impatience, and unrealistic demands on both yourself and others for immdediate results.
30. Sit on your ego. Talk less and listen more. Remember, it's not always about you.
31. Every night before bed, thank God for all your blessings. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you, Lord." And no matter how bad things may seem, remember God has a way of turning things around! After all, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
