How many of us deal with stress? How much stress do you feel you can manage before you break? Do you stress over little things like… what you will wear for the day or the amount of time you have to get things done? How is your stress level when it comes to managing money, multitasking or dealing with ever changing circumstances? Well if you are anything like me, stress can become an issue quickly. ESPECIALLY, when you feel the pressure to make sure everything or everyone is okay. My biggest problem that often resulted in stress was dealing with change. I had to learn that change is inevitable, but stress could be deadly. When you allow yourself to stress, you block out your shining light. You begin to fill your mind and spirit with doubt. You close the door on triumph and open a window for defeat. Your mind then becomes clouded with those pesky “what if” thoughts. What if I can not pay the light bill on time, What if I am not good enough during my job interview. What if the doctor calls back with a negative report? I will not lie to you and say that you will never stress again. Because that my friend would be a false statement. However, I can give you 5 easy steps to help decrease your stress level. They are very helpful for me and I hope they will be helpful to you as well.
Step 1: BREATHE, RELAX AND BREATHE!
- Before you start to hyperventilate, breathe. Close your eyes and breathe in deep and slow. As you begin to exhale, release any negative thoughts or concerns in that very moment. Allow your body to get in a relaxed state. This also gets your mind in a relaxed state allowing you to think clearly.
Step 2: Reverse the what if mentality.
- You have to change that “what if” into “Instead”. Don’t think of all the bad things that could happen. Tell yourself “Instead of worrying I will be hopeful and I will check all of my resources before coming to a negative conclusion.”
Step 3: Meditate/Pray.
- Use this moment to speak positively over you situation. Once you have released all negative thoughts/concerns get into a place of “Thanksgiving”. This is where you realize that your situation could ALWAYS be worse. This is a time to show humility and become one with yourself and God. His strength and love is more powerful then anything on this earth. Tap into that.
Step 4: Review past stressful situations and the outcome.
- Look back on some of the things you have stressed over in the past… how did you overcome it? Was the situation as bad as you thought it was? Weigh that situation with what you are facing now. Reassure yourself that you have overcome hurdles before and can do it again.
Step 5: Use your strength.
- You did not overcome those past obstacles for nothing! You did not earn those stripes for nothing! You were rewarded with strength on purpose. That strength is to get you through various challenges to come. DO NOT sleep on your strength. Do not forget the battles you have endured to gain that strength. Use it now! Pick up your sword of strength and overcome yet again!!
These may seem like small steps, but once you really open your mind and put them to use the changes you will see in yourself will be incredible. Clearing your mind of any unwanted stress helps you exhibit positive thinking. Positive thinking helps manifest positive behavior which in turn causes others to mirror that behavior. Not only that, but you will be surprised at the patience and amount of understanding you will receive. This is coming from a person who use to stress out over everything! I am thankful for this exercise and hope it will be of help to you all as well. Peace, Love and blessings.
Daughter from the Valley 
“Reflection of past situation that u got through”
I like that.
There’s a few things I use myself to not stress and it ultimately made me overcome it all together in time.
1. Count your blessings
Focusing on what you have and not so much on what u don’t or what you’re going through eases the situation. Always find or look at the bright side of things. There’s always somebody out there praying to be blessed to be in your shoes.
2. Are you giving your All?
What can you do or what are you doing to change the situation that you’re stressing over? Ask yourself “Am I doing my part? Everything in MY POWER to change this?” Because sometimes we sit up stressing over something that we ourselves are the question and answer to. (Bible) James 2:18 reads
“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. Make sure you’re doing YOUR part and LET GO AND LET GOD handle the rest. Knowing that you’ve done or is doing all you can will give you a peace of mind because you’re DOING or have DONE YOUR PART. Now this is where God takes the wheel.
3. Health
Stress is detrimental to your health in so many ways. Just a Google The affects of stress. It’s not worth it. I know it’s hard sometimes but always strive to remain positive and look on the bright side of things. Life too short to be stressing! LIVE!
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That was awesome as well! I definitely agree with what you have said. That was my main thing in this blog post. You are so right. Stress is a no go for me. Nothing good comes from it. Thanks for reading and your response!
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