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10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health
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God wants us to remain steadfast in our
faith, mentally strong and emotionally stable. God sees the end from the
beginning while we’re stuck in the middle. What we’re going through right now
is not permanent. Life is but a mist, here today gone tomorrow - keep eternity
in view. Eat nutritious healthy meals and avoid too much junk food. Steer clear
of sugary drinks and keep your fluids up by drinking lots of water. Stay active
and exercise. Don’t just sleep – rest. Stay connected - do your best to
stay informed and up to date without being consumed with constant updates. Press
into God, meditate on His word and pray with authority. God’s word promises us
peace in the storm, protection from harm, perseverance to endure, perspective
that’s eternal and purpose in every season. Gratitude keep things in
perspective. Reaching out to help someone else has a divine way of helping you!
Never be afraid to trust and unknown future to a known God
By Sabrina Peters
There’s no denying we’re in the midst
of crisis like we’ve never experienced in our lifetime and chaos, confusion and
angst has surged as a consequence.
It’s normal to experience a range of
emotions – from fear to anger, worry to anxiety.
But in every situation God wants us to
remain steadfast in our faith, mentally strong and emotionally stable.
Here are 10 tips for looking after your
mental health that will help you (and I) stay grounded and resilient during
this turbulent time of unpredictability.
1. Let
Go of Things You Can’t Control
During this season it’s vital that we
hold loosely the things we can’t control and focus on the things we actually
can – like our attitude, our outlook and what we choose to focus on.
We may not have control over the
economic state of our country, our job situation or our ability to go outside,
but we can choose to press into His presence, speak faith over fear and make
our homes a place of peace.
Stop focusing on the things you can’t
regulate and give attention to the things you can – like staying at home,
washing your hands and being nice to the family you’re now spending 24/7 with.
2. Maintain
Perspective
While it’s normal to have questions and
concerns about what the future holds, it’s important to see beyond this present
situation.
We may feel blindsided, but God hasn’t
been. He sees the end from the beginning while we’re stuck in the middle.
As Christians, we
need to cling tightly to Romans 8:28: “And we know [with great confidence]
that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together
[as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according
to His plan and purpose.”
What we’re going through right now is
not permanent. One day things will go back to normal, albeit a new type of
normal, but nonetheless we will re-emerge having grown in stamina and
perseverance.
And don’t just look at it from a
temporary perspective but see it through a heavenly lens.
We know that this life is but a mist,
here today gone tomorrow. Let’s endeavour to keep eternity in view.
3. Eat
Well, Drink Water
What you eat undoubtedly has an effect
on your emotions and can make you feel lethargic, sluggish or even sick.
As much as you can, eat nutritious
healthy meals and do your best to avoid too much junk food.
It’s a good idea to steer clear of
sugary drinks and excessive caffeine and keep your fluids up by drinking lots
of water.
According to Dr Chris
Beer, “water is the most important nutrient that our bodies need and is
involved in almost every bodily function.”
4. Stay
Healthy, Get Active
As much as possible stay active, and if
feasible, exercise.
Exercise has so many positive
effects, from improving your energy levels to releasing a flood of
feel good chemicals from your brain to your body.
Exercise has also shown to improve your
mood and decrease feelings of depression and stress.
Honestly, I’m not super fit but I’ve
been making the effort to work out at home (or go for a slow walk with my kids
ha) at least once a day.
For some going outside is not even
possible, but you can still do your best to add some movement to your day.
Even if that means jumping on YouTube
and doing a basic 10-minute workout in your living room.
5. Get
Enough Sleep
Sleep is another commodity you don’t
want to go without in this season of uncertainty.
Sleep is vital for good health yet so
many of us try and run on as little as possible.
Don’t stay up all night surfing
YouTube, you’ll end up exhausted and groggy the next day.
Good sleep is essential, but don’t just
sleep – rest. You may be surprised but the two are very different.
Rest and recovery involve not just
stopping physically but giving your mind time to slow down, repair and recuperate.
For those working from home or
schooling your kids, don’t let the days just roll into one.
Establish a new routine and try and go
to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Another great tip if you have the
ability, is get out in the fresh air and sunshine. Even if that means sitting
in your backyard or walking out on your balcony.
There are numerous health benefits
associated with sun exposure including boosting vitamin D levels, enhancing
mood and energy, setting your body block and improving your sleep patterns.
6. Stay
Connected
Social distancing does not equal
relational disconnection. It’s so important that during this time we “stay
connected.”
Although it may not be possible to be
face to face, we can still be heart to heart and be intentional about keeping
in touch.
That may include zoom calls, WhatsApp
video chats or Facebook watch parties. Find people you love and lean into them
for support.
Talking about your feelings and
processing your thoughts will help bring a sense of perspective and stability.
And don’t just vent, pray!! There are
plenty of online prayer meetings taking place right now that you can join in on
and add your faith.
And remember staying in touch includes
being present with those right in front of you.
I’m not gonna lie having dinner with my
husband and kids at home every night has been so nice.
For at least a few hours a day we’re
fully focused and present with one another. We’ve been playing, reading and
talking so much more!
7. Unplug
From Devices
Technology is an incredible tool
especially in this season to help us stay in touch, but the way in which we use
it and for how long is definitely important.
It’s vital to set limits on how long
you spend on your phone or computer. Scrolling social media all day non-stop
may actually do more damage than good.
Learn to switch off and unplug. If
you’re feeling tired (yet wired) at night you may be suffering from
overstimulation.
This simply means your senses are on
overload and your body and your mind will eventually pay the price. On that
note avoid excessive media coverage.
Continually reading news stories and
articles may contribute to heightened feelings of worry and anxiety.
Do your best to stay informed and up to
date without being consumed with constant updates.
One way our Pastor,
Mark Varughese puts it is this, “Read the news, but meditate on God’s word.”
Which leads me to point 8.
8. Meditate
on God’s Word and Pray
I don’t have all the answers, but God’s
word definitely has a lot of promises.
It’s essential that during this time
you press into God, meditate on His word and pray with authority.
I recently wrote a blog called,
“Scriptures to cling to in this season of crisis.”
It personally helped me navigate my own
questions and doubts.
God’s word promises us peace in the storm,
protection from harm, perseverance to endure, perspective that’s eternal and
purpose in every season.
Here are a few verses that may
encourage you too.
“Lord, even when your
path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me,
for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the
way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes
away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.” – Psalm 23:4 (TPT)
“We have this certain
hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself.” – Hebrews 6:19 (TPT)
“So, we’re not giving
up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are
falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day
goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes
compared to the coming good times; the lavish celebration prepared for us.
There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today,
gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
(THE MESSAGE)
“Then pray for one
another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the
passionate, heartfelt prayerof a godly believer!” – James 5:16
There is so much power in prayer.
So, join your faith with the army of
saints and stand in the gap for yourself, your family and our world.
9. Remain
Grateful
Gratitude has an amazing way of keeping
things in perspective.
If the last few weeks have taught me
anything, it’s to be thankful for all the things I once took for granted and
appreciate the blessings (and privileges) I still have.
Thankfulness has the power to shift
your mindset which ultimately influences your emotions, moods and experiences.
Try starting a gratitude journal where
you list people, moments and things you are thankful for.
Because the truth is we all having
something in our lives to thank God for.
10. Ask
Yourself, “What Can I Do to Help Someone Else?”
Reaching out to help someone else has a
divine way of helping you!
In seasons like this, it’s the little
things that can mean the most. Reaching out to another person who’s struggling
or alone will make the community so much stronger.
Last week my kids and I wanted to show
their teachers how much we appreciated their commitment, so we went out and
bought them a gift and card.
As I handed her the gift, I could see
her holding back tears. I must admit I was holding them back myself.
I know it’s just a small gesture, but
there are so many little things we can do to take the focus off ourselves.
I guarantee it will help pull you out
of any kind of rut.
In the beautiful
words of Corrie Ten Boom let me end on this. “Never be afraid to trust and
unknown future to a known God.”
Article
supplied with thanks to Sabrina Peters.
Sabrina is a writer, pastor and relationships blogger who is
passionate about Jesus, and shifting the way people think about God & sex.
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