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Research has shown some sources of stress common to mankind. These are broadly categorised into family pressures, medical or health problems, workplace troubles, personal relationships, financial imbalance, activity and time overload, rapid change, pregnancy and many other irritants.
We must then develop coping strategies. Daniel de Brun and Joanna Bartlett give an excellent list of strategies that can be easily incorporated into our lives.
Take time to relax
Avoid self-destructive thinking
Talk to someone
Develop a social network
Develop a healthy lifestyle
Manage your resources (time and finances) better
I have also developed a personal list. The list keeps growing and you may add to it to suit your life.
Start your day with God for me its music, I either sing or start a worship CD, it ushers me into God's presence. It makes me relax and reassures me that God is in control. It is beautiful to start with praise and acknowledge the Creator of all
Plan your day no matter how little, from a mental framework to a kitchen list or a gantt chart, planning helps me to be in control and helps me to reassess myself and count my successes and outstanding activities. I emphasise this for people with big families or multiply commitments.
Get some exercise this is important because it keeps you in shape, helps blood flow, aids better and sharp thinking, keeps you going. It could be a walk round the block, morning jog or useful stretches every now again
Eat good food this helps to refuel your brain, it is better to feed the body with good food, imagine a car fuelled with Kerosene instead of Petrol
Find some me-time on a daily basis, one should have at least 10mins for oneself, to do whatever makes you happy without the interruption of ringing phones, crying children, television or radio blaring. It could be a nap, a gaze at nature, read a book, play the piano, listen to music, or just any good thing you fancy.
Decide to be nice to everyone I always hear my Mum's voice re-echoing the classic Yoruba proverb how many days does a man have to live? Surely it isn't many enough to live each one wearing iron armour like one on a battle field! Also King Solomon said Do not be over wicked, and do not be a fool why die before your time? Ecclesiastes 7:17
Finally keep that smile going as much as you can and are able to. Don't allow yourself to be grumpy for a long time Proverbs 17:22 Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time!