How do we react when our plans fall through?  Do we roll with the punches?  Or does anxiety keep us from enjoying life? When we look at what has been happening regarding Covid then stress levels certainly can increase. I find myself in isolation currently that seems to have no end in testing positive each time I test and that in itself can cause stress as I need to go home and resume my daily tasks, however, what can really be done about that situation is a very interesting question? Let’s look at things to help keep our stress under control:

1. Sleep more.  It’s very common in our society to exist on less than 6 hours of sleep a night. Taking the added stress of Covid that has come into existence that can really make one sick or cause far more serious consequences really needs sleep to heal. That in itself is a challenge especially when experts recommend 6-8 hours of sleep per night. This is needed so that we can rest our bodies, and rejuvenate our minds. Sleeping is the time for our bodies to not just rest, but heal.
2. Turn it off.  The convenience that cell phones have added to our lives can actually be a double-edged sword.  We depend on them so much it seems we can’t live without them.  Our minds are constantly filled with news, social media, emails, etc. and it is nearly impossible for us to settle. Put your phone down at least 30 minutes before bed. This is so important as it takes a minimum of 30 minutes for you to wind down and go into sleeping mode and this can be a real challenge when you have added stresses. The choice we make here becomes very important in our lives if we want to live a fully balanced life.
3. Take a holiday.  It doesn’t have to be a fancy vacation; however, breaks are important as I call them “fillers”. We are vessels that give, no matter what it is we are giving, we are giving of ourselves, thus, important to fill up on what you gave out. It can be anything, if we do not have the means to go away, then there is nothing wrong with a day out in the park, or a picnic in the yard. Anywhere will do as long as it takes your mind away from the daily things you do like work, accounts to pay, or anything that is causing tension in your life. The key is to take time out and refill. You cannot give what you do not have.
4. Patience. This is a strong and very valuable word indeed. Most of the time we find ourselves in situations that are beyond our control, however, we need to go through it, and patience sometimes is off little supply. We need to develop patience, grow into patience by allowing our circumstances to develop that within us. My current Covid situation is a good circumstance that is testing my patience supply and I can also battle with short supply; however, the choice again needs to come into play where we talk to ourselves, making sure we are aware that in most circumstances we find ourselves in are not in our control and we merely have to be patient and sit it out. Then also another important point, it reduces and ultimately takes away the stress and we find that there is something we needed to learn within that circumstance too. We need to roll with the punches!
5. How do we cure our impatience? Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” We overcome impatience by releasing the control we are trying to have over our situation; We remain still in our circumstance; We recognize God’s blessings in our circumstance, and we remember His good works. We will reap the reward if we patiently endure.