It was my third mental breakdown that week. I felt depleted after working non-stop from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., five days in a row. But that's the thing about high-functioning anxiety. It gives the illusion of peace, yet only leaves you alone, tired, and famished.
The reality is that the more we give into doing more rather than resting and being in His presence, the worse off we feel. We may even accomplish less than what we bargained for because we can't put a price tag or some checkboxes on the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
While I'm still learning to deal with anxiety properly, I want to share four healthy ways you can de-stress. These aren't spiritual bandaids or prescriptions. There are no quick fixes or helpful cliches for healing our mental health. But they are things I've found to be helpful over the years. It's my prayer they may be of use to you.
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1. Get Moving
When I'm stressed out, one of the best forms of healing comes in movement. Movement comes in many shapes and sizes, and some will be more helpful to you than others. What matters is that you get moving despite your feelings.
Because I struggle with high-functioning anxiety and an addiction to being busy, activities like running, HIIT workouts, cardio, and hiking are my go-to sessions. I hunger and thirst for heart-pumping adrenaline. However, they aren't always what's best for me.
More times than not, I should participate in what my counselor calls "a gentle movement workout." Things like pilates, stretching, barre, Christian yoga, light walks, and dance workouts are better choices in those moments. Both types of exercise have benefits, but that will heavily depend on your stress at that given moment.
If you're looking for recommendations and suggestions, some of my favorite things that make moving more enjoyable are using Spotify for playlists, getting outside, utilizing All Trails for new hiking locations, and trying new workouts on YouTube (I enjoy MadFit, Blogilates, Move with Nicole and Eleni Fit). Working out with a friend or doing creative workouts for the week are also great ideas but require more mental energy.
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2. Journal
Many successful therapists and counselors will be quick to tell you to journal your thoughts when you're anxious, worried, or stressed. But what about creating a habit of daily journaling for the sake of mental stability and overall wellness? Journaling is beneficial for all seasons and emotions in life.
What's the best way to journal? I believe this depends on the individual. I like to write down what I do each day so I can look back at what I did over the years. To date, I've been journaling consistently since 2014 and have over 100 collected journals.
I also enjoy completing a "brain dump." A "brain dump" consists of allowing everything in your mind to dump out on the paper before you. You aren't stopping to edit or make words sound pretty. The goal is to get out your emotions and feelings as they are—raw, unfiltered, and real. Through this process, stress decreases.
As a Christian, I also use journaling as an opportunity to write my thoughts as prayers to God. I can't always describe this phenomenon in words, but nothing is more relieving than pouring out my heart to the Lord and receiving His peace in return. Perhaps it's because when we lay it down, or write things down, we take the stressors off of us and give them to Him.
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3. Meditate on God's Word
After I take the time to journal, learning to meditate on God's Word is a way to healthily de-stress. When I get stressed, the last thing I want to do is sit, write, and pray. Not because I don't want to, but because stress makes me believe that I need to keep moving, doing, and achieving to relieve the pressure I'm feeling. The reality is that meditating on the Lord and His Scriptures amid this anxiety can bring peace to a busy and chaotic world. It's our way to tap into the spiritual realm of Heaven while still residing on Earth.
A lot of Christians often have the misconception that meditation is sinful, evil, or foo-foo. Unlike other religions, however, we have direct access to God because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. This means that when we pray and communicate with Him, our meditations are with Him, not some foreign or unknown God. This is why Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him with our concerns. He knows this is hard for us. He's not shooting us with daggers when we struggle to do this. But He gently reminds us to bring our heaviness to Him because of His love for us.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30, ESV
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4. Make a List
The final way I like to de-stress is another tip from my counselor. Especially since getting married, making a list before I go to bed or when I first get up in the morning helps me to start and end my days right.
Have you ever laid awake at night, counting your to-do's, unable to sleep? I know I have. Studies show that one of the best ways to combat this stress and anxiety is to make a list of all the things you need to do, and then organize it. In a way, this is a listicle "brain dump."
Making a list any time of day is helpful, but you'll need to see what works best for you. People like my husband and mom have to make these lists in the morning because creating them at night stimulates more brain activity and stress. I like to write mine down at night because it gives me a sense of reassurance that I won't forget anything and can let it go for the night.
What healthy ways do you de-stress when times get overwhelming and hard to bear? I'd love to hear how you cope and which of these four coping mechanisms you're going to try!
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/oatawa
Originally published Tuesday, 27 February 2024.
