As part of my fresh start at the beginning of this new year, I cleared out the drawers of my desk. Amongst the many papers I took to the recycling bin, was one with a list of New Year’s resolutions I had printed out who-knows-when.
Just to make the dreary process of cleaning a bit more fun, I read through the items on the list to see which of them were still applicable. Before you also read what they actually are, what do you think people are the most concerned with before tackling the unknown months ahead of them?
Did you guess any of these ten issues?
- How to get rid of stress
- How to make kale chips
- How much water to drink to lose weight
- How to write a resignation letter
- How to cook lentils
- How to cook cabbage
- How to write a letter of recommendation
- How to cook collard greens
- How to steam broccoli
- How to crochet a beanie
Did you know that some people have so many concerns about food preparation? Personally I would have thought that parenting, finances and world hunger would worry people more than cooking …
How to crochet a beanie just made me laugh, but the question about drinking water I understand. I too focus on proper hydration as part of my healthy lifestyle.
The two kinds of letters people want to write are actually very interesting. To resign from a job and to write someone a recommendation, speak of wanting to change, setting boundaries and moving on to something better. Such aspirations are always good in terms of human growth and development. The start of a new year is an excellent time to tend to such matters.
On a less positive note, we can all empathise with the number one concern people have. Stress is a normal and essential part of life, as it gets us moving and taking action when necessary. However, the constant pressure we are subjected to is neither natural, nor healthy.
No matter how many books are written, how many videos or podcasts are recorded and sermons delivered, we seem to never find the solution. The reason for this is simple: Whenever you feel that the demands placed on you are more than you are able to cope with, that is when your stress levels become overwhelming.
As you cannot fully control all the challenging external circumstances in your life, maybe you could focus on your internal feelings about your competence to handle stressful situations. There are a few practical tips that help me in my stressful life. Implement them as the year begins – they may just strengthen your ability to cope and make you feel less stressed.
Tips to cope with challenging circumstances:
- Remember that sometimes life simply is tough and you will have to ask for help with matters such as divorce, death and illness. Don’t burden yourself with unrealistic expectations of managing such challenges easily and quickly.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices every single day. If you slip up, don’t stress about it, just make your next choice a better one and forget about the one you consider less healthy. A strong, vigorous body can withstand stress so much better and helps the mind to remain calm and clear.
- Reduce your intake of social media, the news and any form of violence on screens, e.g. games and series. Spend more time in nature, reading a good book and listening to uplifting music. Technology and digital devices are our friends but use them sparingly and rather “overdose” on playing board games, chatting in real time and/or real life with friends, kicking a ball for a child or cuddling a pet.
- Focus on your breathing whenever you feel tightness around your heart.
- Ensure that you experience quiet solitude on a daily basis even if it is only for five minutes whilst doing the dishes or taking the refuse to the curb.
- Pray more.
