It’s midway through the semester. Midterms are just around the corner and you need to study hard to get the grades you know you are capable of. Your work is starting to ramp up as more and more people take to restaurants and shopping excursions while enjoying the crispness of fall in Colorado. If you have a family, it is more than likely that your kids’ school programs are becoming more frequent and there are sports practices and art shows and dance recitals and playdates — the list goes on and on. With so much on your plate, you might be feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We were meant for so much more than a stressful, anxious life. That’s why I want to share how you can Escape Mid-Semester Stress with These 3 Tips.
Colorado Theological Seminary wants to make getting a degree from seminary school as stress-free as possible. Not to say that it won’t be challenging, but we have a support system that will ensure you are successful. As you’re traveling through your seminary journey, our staff and professors will be there to guide you and offer a shoulder whenever you need it. To support your journey to escape mid-semester stress, keep these 3 simple tips in mind.
De-Stress Your Life
Listen to Your Body
Chronic stress can reveal itself in our physical bodies. Fatigue, aches, and pains can all be signs that we aren’t getting enough rest. Also, as you try to escape stress in the middle of the semester, remember these three tips: rest, eat well, and listen to your body. If you are feeling worn down all the time, set aside some time to take care of yourself. Have a soothing cup of tea and curl up with a warm blanket; let your body and mind recover. It’s also important to make sure that you are getting enough to eat. It can be tempting to skip lunch when you have so much to do, but your body needs sustenance. You will feel better when you slow down and nourish yourself with rest and nutrients.
Learn to Say No
Sometimes it can be difficult to turn down volunteering opportunities or other tasks that need to be done. But taking on too many things at once is a sure-fire way to cause yourself undue stress. To truly escape stress as the semester reaches its midpoint, practice these three tips: say no, prioritize, and set boundaries. It’s also very likely that you will end up doing a million things, but not doing any of them well. When you are stressed and tired, you can’t dedicate yourself to the task at hand. Learn to set boundaries and limitations on your time expectations, and learn that “no” doesn’t make you a bad person.
Lay it All Down
Something that is easy to forget in the everyday hustle and bustle is that our mental health is connected to our spiritual health. Are you finding shelter in the shadow of the Almighty? Do you make it a priority to grow your relationship with God? Lay your burdens down and let yourself simply be in the presence of God. Jesus did this often throughout the Gospel, setting the example for us to follow in our own lives. When you allow spiritual rest, you will find it easier to escape mid-semester stress using these three helpful tips.
So this fall, take some time to unwind. After all, even God rested on the seventh day. And don’t forget, Escape Mid-Semester Stress with These 3 Tips can be your motivation for balance this season.
