Prioritizing reflection and planning each day are two simple tips to stress relief.
Have you felt as though stress is just a part of life? Is stress just unavoidable? Doctors tell us to eliminate stress. But how?
Stress has a way of snowballing. When you live mindlessly, going through the motions of life, the snowball (or stress ball) grows and spins out of control.
If you have been around this Revelation Wellness community for much time at all, you have heard it said in various ways we were not designed to live at that kind of pace.
If you’re looking for a path to stress relief, I suggest two practices: reflection and planning. Reflection causes you to slow down to see what God has done and is doing in your life. Integrating reflection throughout your day becomes a healthy pause and a mini-sabbath. Planning allows you to anticipate the responsibilities and tasks on your plate each day.
Reflection
This holy reflection leads to growth and renewal, not dwelling in the past.
3 Tips for Practicing Reflection
Daily Journaling
At the end of the day or the beginning of the day, you can write about at least three things you are grateful for from the day. If your mind is occupied with worry, consider writing a short prayer to release those worries to God.
Daily Examen
Review and consider what you did that day and how you felt.
Did I accomplish what I planned to do? Why or why not? What went well today? What was a struggle today? When did I feel close to God? When did I feel far from God?
Daily Examen with Friends
Regularly review your recent highs and lows of the day or week with a trusted friend or spouse.
Bonus: try to attach feeling words when describing your highs and lows. Example: I felt overwhelmed when the dog was sick right before we had to leave for church. Or, I felt encouraged hearing my friend share about God healing her depression.
I love David’s reflection in Psalm 18 verse 3, “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.” Notice David speaks in the past tense. I imagine David looking up to the heavens, reflecting on the work of his Savior.
The goal is a curious reflection, inviting God in. This holy reflection leads to growth and renewal, not dwelling in the past.
Planning
The second key to stress relief, planning, can sometimes get a bad rap. Just like anything else, planning could take on a life of its own and actually add to that snowball effect, creating a larger stress ball. We must give our plans to God. As John Eldredge recently said in podcast #699 with Alisa Keeton, “I give everyone and everything to you, God.”
Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Committing my plans to God results in fruitful living. A sustainable pace. A gratifying feeling of accomplishment without overwhelm.
2 Tips for Planning
Prioritize 3 Tasks For Tomorrow
Write down three things you will do the next day. I use my Move in Love Wellness Journal to write down the top 3 things I will do the next day. Many nights this can be a true challenge. Only 3? This boundary causes me to think about helpful questions.
Consider: “Come tomorrow night, what will you feel satisfied with having completed? What can you leave off that is truly an extra that doesn’t have to be done? What have you been procrastinating on, which is leading to anxiety and just needs to be done?”
Submit your plans to the Lord
Look at your calendar and all that is happening the next day for yourself and your family. Submit your plans to God, and yield to His sovereignty.
Proverbs 3:6, “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Both reflection and planning are invitations for the Sovereign Lord to enter into your life and free you from stress. Breathe in. Breathe out. Invite Him in. Breathe in God’s goodness. Breathe out peace.
What is God calling you to focus on first, reflection or planning? Which tip can you implement today?
Both reflection and planning are invitations for the Sovereign Lord to enter into your life and free you from stress.
Lisa Ostreim is a Certified Revelation Wellness Instructor from Platoon 28. She is a wife, homeschool mom, and Certified Health Coach. Lisa is passionate about helping to set others free.
