Please email us your tips and strategies that have worked for you. We’d love to be able to share some of your ideas with our STA faith community, friends and neighbors. Send to [email protected]
1. Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, or learn relaxation techniques. There are some great videos on YouTube that can be quite helpful.
2. Eat well-balanced meals (as best you can). Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand (as best you can).
3. Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
4. Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest.
5. Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health. Get creative about exercising at home.
6. Take a “breath break” throughout the day. Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly.
Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary.
7. Each day, just do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn't possible, be proud of however close you get.
Accept that you cannot control everything.
8. Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way.
9. Maintain a positive attitude. Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
10. Learn what triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or something else you can identify?
11. Write in a journal when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, and look for a pattern.
12. Talk to someone. Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed, and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.
13. Catch up on your reading - fiction and or non fiction. Explore audio books
14. Limit your exposure to negativity: TV, social media
15. Practice patience with yourself and others
BODY
Fitness Tips: Stay Healthy, Manage Stress
1. Add exercise to your daily routine. For the biggest benefits of exercise, try to include at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g. brisk walking) each week
2. 5 X 30: Jog, walk, bike, or dance three to five times a week for 30 minutes.
3. Set small daily goals and aim for daily consistency rather than perfect workouts. It's better to walk every day for 15-20 minutes than to wait until the weekend for a three-hour fitness marathon. Lots of scientific data suggests that frequency is most important.
4. Find forms of exercise that are fun.
Distract yourself with an iPod or other portable media player to download audiobooks, podcasts, or music. Many people find it’s more fun to exercise while listening to something they enjoy.
5. Start slowly. If the thought of exercise does not excite you, begin with gentle stretching and getting reacquainted with your body. Stretch and tone.
6. Check out our Tuesday Twist and Shout page, coming soon! This will feature exercise, stretching and workout videos created for all body types and ability levels.
SPIRIT
1. Pray more
2. Meditate
3. Invite friends to pray with you over the phone, FaceTime, Zoom - make technology your friend
4. Spend more time reading the Bible and adding a study element for increased understanding . There are many excellent free study resources online.
5. Start your own Bible Study group
6. Start a prayer journal
7. Create a “prayer corner” in your home, a sacred and quiet place for you and God