Practical Tips to Manage Stress

Do you feel stressed out about the things happening around you? What has caused you stress? How has stress affected you? 

 

Study shows that stress itself is not necessarily harmful. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is to the human condition what tension is to the violin string: too little and the music is dull and raspy; too much and the music is shrill or the string snaps.  

The association added that stress can be the kiss of death or the spice of life. The issue, really, is how to manage it.  

Considering your physical health, your interaction with other people, and the priorities you set in your life are important factors in effectively dealing with stress. Here are 6 practical tips that may help you deal and manage stress: 

Tip #1: Know what stresses you 

Identify the possible causes of your stress and note your response. This means that whenever you feel stressed, note your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Think of ways to eliminate that makes you feel stressed. Perhaps, you may consider reducing your stress by managing your tasks or time efficiently.

One with knowledge restrains his words, and a discerning person stays calm.” – Proverbs 17:27 (TLV) 

Tip #2: Try to live one day at a time 

Recognize that stress is inevitable, especially when you are studying or working. Fretting over things you cannot prevent may increase your stress that can cause anxiety.

Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34 (CEB)  

Tip #3: Pursue work-life balance  

Balanced living means considering all aspects of our life such as work, relationships, physical, emotional, and mental health. Have a realistic view of work and money. Having more money does not always mean more happiness or less stress in your life. Try to live within your means.  

Limit the time you spend checking emails, text messages, or social media applications outside of working hours. Make time to relax and relieve stress by doing things you enjoy. Also avoid being a couch potato.

“But better is resting with one handful than working hard for two fistfuls and chasing after wind.” – Ecclesiastes 4:6 (CEB) 

Tip #4: Try to be orderly  

Make a practical schedule and stick to it. This will keep you from procrastinating on things you have to finish. Identify and correct attitudes that cause you to put off doing necessary tasks.

Let all things be done decently and in order.”- 1 Corinthians 14:40 (WEB)  

Tip #5: Have a support system  

Ask for help and get support from trustworthy people you are comfortable with. Talk things over with friends or loved ones. This may help you to see things from a different perspective led you to a solution you overlooked. It can also help you unburden yourself of your worries and be comforted by kind and compassionate words from people who care.

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” – Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)  

Tip #6: Care for your spiritual needs 

As humans created by God, we need more than food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities in this life. We must also take care of our spiritual needs. 

Reading the Bible can give you practical wisdom that you may apply in your life.  

Prayer can also be a big help. Our loving God invites you to “throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Knowing that our Creator is listening to our prayers can bring us inner peace and happiness in this world.  

“Those people who know they have great spiritual needs are happy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” – Matthew 5:3 (ICB)  

We would love to uplift you through prayers, you may call CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700.

This is How You can Cope with Pandemic Stress | Beyond Small Talk

Imposed quarantines from time to time, news about the rise and fall of COVID-19 cases here and there, plus health and safety reminders everywhere – as you may have realized, the world is battling this pandemic for over a year now.  

How are you holding up?  

If these unsettling scenarios create feelings of stress and anxiety to you, know that God wants you to be free from all worries (Psalm 34:4). 

God gives you the power to break free from stress! 

This Stress Awareness Month, know how you can help yourself in dealing with your pandemic stress, with some essential tips from an inspirational speaker and Beyond Small Talk guest, Carl Pascua. 

 

Tip #1: Slow down and rest 

Did you find yourself feeling extra stressed when the pandemic started? You are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during the pandemic. 

Perhaps, uncertainty becomes the gasoline that fuels your stress fire. 

Don’t worry. You don’t need to force yourself to be okay all the time. Carl suggests that you process your emotions, know where the sadness or stress comes from, and do not forget to take a much-needed rest. 

Tip #2: Exercise and stay healthy 

Science has long proved that your mind and body are strongly linked. 

“Remember, a healthy body can result into a healthy mind and a good emotional condition,” Carl reminds. 

The American Psychological Association backs this up and specifies that as your mental health declines, your physical health can worsen, and if your physical health declines, you can feel mentally “down.” 

So get off the couch and start a simple exercise routine, and be extra mindful of what you eat! 

Tip #3: Talk about your problems 

Whether it’s a family member, a trusted friend, or a mentor, sharing your thoughts and concerns with other people can help relieve stress. Likewise, you can help others feel that they’re not alone, too! 

Like you, each person you know could be fighting a battle you don’t know about. So don’t hesitate to reach out. Encourage each other and build each other up! (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT) 

Tip #4: Let go of the idea about control 

Who would’ve thought that by 2020, going to malls, restaurants – or even work – could be a health risk? Who would’ve thought that by the summer of 2021, you would be cooped up in your home and praying for a pandemic to end? 

Nobody. 

But it happened, and this goes to show that no matter what your plans are, you cannot control everything. Ease your pandemic stress by letting go of your need to control things, and trusting that Someone greater is always in control – Jesus Christ. 

As Proverbs 19:21 ESV puts it, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” 

Tip #5: Put your faith in Him 

If anything, the pandemic proved the famous saying, “Everything changes, except the word change.” 

If you put your happiness and trust in things that change – like career, health, or even relationships – you might feel stressed when things don’t work out the way you hoped. It’s high time to put your joy and faith in a God who never changes. 

“Other people may not understand everything that is going on in your life, but God knows. That means you can go to Him, cry to Him, and you can seek help from Him. Problems can be big, but our God is bigger, our God is stronger!” Carl ended. 

No matter what you’re going through, keep going! You can always find comfort and overcome through the help of your merciful God! 

“In the multitudes of anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:19 NKJV) 

Do you feel overwhelmed or stressed? 

We are here for you. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 and we will pray for you. 

Mark your calendars and catch the next webisode of Beyond Small Talk this coming Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 7:00 PM, on The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube channel!  

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Feeling Stressed Right Now? Here are some Tips to Help You Manage Stress

Do you feel overwhelmed, burned out, or extremely stressed? 

If so, you are not alone. 

Many people, even those who identify themselves as Christians, can still have days that are harder than others. Some even feel a certain kind of guilt whenever they are anxious or stressed out, falling prey to the fallacy that once you become a believer or follower of Jesus, you will be spared from feeling stress or even sorrow. 

But truth be told, life has stress. And stress is a valid feeling! 

Thankfully, your faith can help you cope with stress. Here are some practical tips from the Word of God on how you can better manage your stress levels: 

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  1. Learn when to say “No” or “Not Now” 

Do you allow yourself to be dictated by the timeline of others? 

In John 11:3, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus – wanting Him to heal their sick brother, Lazarus. Although it was a clear emergency and Jesus loves Lazarus, Jesus stayed where He was for the next 2 days (John 11:5-6). Further in the story, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. 

Stress mostly stems out from pressure or fear of disappointing other people. But like Jesus, the schedule and emergency of others don’t have to pressure or weigh you down. Simply saying, “No, I can’t do this,” or “I can’t do this right now,” will help you manage or even avoid stress. 

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  1. Remember your purpose and priorities

When you forget God’s purpose for your life in this season, life’s hurdles can easily overwhelm you.  

The crowd followed Jesus wherever He went because they wanted to hear His teachings and experience His healing. But in Mark 1:38, Jesus said that He wanted to go “somewhere else” to preach the gospel. He knew that is what He was called to do. 

“Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” (Mark 1:38 NIV) 

A pandemic, financial crisis, or family problem could single-handedly stress you out and even make you do things that are not related to God’s calling for your life. To manage stress, list down your purpose and priorities then ask God to help you focus on what truly matters. 

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  1. Seek help

Not wanting everyone to know your struggles or see your weak side is understandable. If you’re one breath away from burnout, here’s something to comfort you: You don’t have to go through everything alone. 

God wants you to seek help from others and trust that they can really support you. He showed this trait when He called His 12 disciples and gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease (Matthew 10:1 NKJV). 

Jesus could’ve done all the miracles but chose not to. Instead, He empowered His disciples to work miracles. In the same way, trust that other people can help you! Reach out to someone and ask for help when you need it. 

Above all, seek help from your Heavenly Father and trust that He will help you (Isaiah 41:10). 

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  1. Schedule your rest days

The Bible recounts a busy ministry time for Jesus and His disciples that they didn’t even have time to eat. Though there was still a lot to be done, Jesus did not force themselves to keep going. He took the disciples to a quiet place to rest. 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” (Mark 6:31 NIV) 

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Jesus needed rest and so do you. So don’t stress that much! Schedule a time for rest and relaxation without feeling guilty. Go to your quiet place. Take days off and allow yourself to breathe, recharge, and rest in the presence of God. 

Rest is sacred, so rest well and rest intentionally! 

Are you stressed?  

Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 and our trained prayer counselors are willing to comfort you through prayers. 

If you are looking for a good docufilm to watch while you rest, we’ve got something for you! For your gift of Php 1000, you will receive exclusive online access to Whose Land Is it? – a two-part special examining the facts behind both the Jewish and Arab claims to Israel. Visit whoselandisit.cbnasia.org  for more details. 

Feeling Stressed because of COVID-19? | Beyond Small Talk

Last 2018, the Philippines ranked as the 2nd most stressed and most emotional country in the world in the Gallup’s Annual Global Emotions report cited in an article entitled Philippines among most stressed, emotional countries — Gallup report by Gaea Katreena Cabico of Philstar.

If you are one of those that experience sudden bouts of irritability, low energy, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat among others, you might be experiencing stress.

Know that you are not alone in this. Stress is something that everyone deals with even before COVID-19’s spread, but not all take it seriously despite its debilitating effects in the physical body, mental health, and relationships.

Now that a pandemic is going on, levels of stress and anxiety doubled and tripled.

In this season of Beyond Small Talk, learn how to manage your stress and anxiety, gain wisdom on the cause and effects of stress, and get to know practical self-care tips that will surely help you improve your work-life balance.

All that and more with your hosts Paula Salvosa, a youth pastor and mental health advocate, Archie Dela Cruz, counselor at Amara Counseling & Training Center, and your resident host, Peter Kairuz, CBN Asia President & CEO.

Catch it every Saturday, 7:00 PM on The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

Are you stressed with the changes brought by the ‘new normal’? We would like to pray for you. Whatever hurdles you may be challenged with, you don’t have to carry that burden alone. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 or send us a message on the CBN Asia Facebook page!

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