Lifehack: 6 Ways to Use Stress to Your Advantage

At one time or another, we all face stress. While stress comes in different forms, it is a part of our lives. Many times when we think of stress, we tend to give it a negative connotation. But, wouldn’t it be helpful if we stopped fighting stress so much and actually used it to thrive in life? You know, give it a positive spin.

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BALANCE (Live. Pray. Hustle. 01/03/17)

BALANCE (Live. Pray. Hustle. 01/03/17)
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A large part of life is learning the balance between work and play, action and thinking, doing and being.

8 Ways To Keep Your Feet On the Ground When Everything Else Is Out of Control (365 Days of Spirited Living — DAY 364)

“You don’t have to control your thoughts; you just have to stop letting them control you.”
— Dan Millman

Several studies point to the fact that we are living in one of the most stressed and overworked generations. More people are busier than ever and sometimes feel as though they are not getting any closer to their goals. When everything seems to be spinning out of control, sticking to goals and not yielding to stress can feel like a tall order.

However, it really is possible to not let the stress and pressure of everyday life get to us. We can handle things, even the very hard stuff by developing habits that keep our feet on the ground and our mind focused on the big picture. Here are 8 ways to do that:

Peace that Restores the Soul (365 Days of Daring Faith — DAY 364)

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Many people cannot point to a time when their lives are un-rushed, un-hurried, and un-ragged. Multiple studies point to the fact that we are living in one of the most overworked and overwhelmed generations. We rush to work, to school, to church, back home, to the sporting event, to the play, to the store, to the bank, to the salon, to the doctor, to the beach. And at the end of the day, we are no better off than when we started.

9 Reasons It’s Okay to Take a Break (365 Days of Spirited Living — DAY 357)

“Every person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”
— Maya Angelou

Most of us work hard at what we do and we may push ourselves to the limit in order to build a company, brand a reputation, receive an award, or make money. Sometimes, however, we encounter serious problems physically, mentally, and even relationally because we aren’t making the best decisions. When that happens, everything seems to suffer.

As a person who aims to make some difference in the world, we don’t want to be seen as nonproductive or feel like we’re not doing enough. The result is that we work and work to the neglect of our health and our standards of excellence. Most important ideas come to us in quietness and a mind that is calm is one of our greatest weapons.

Just Thinking (365 Days of Daring Faith — DAY 338)

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

In life, we are always involved in a battle. Sometimes, it is a physical one — a real war between good people and bad people. Other times, it is an emotional battle, a spiritual battle, a mental battle. We have to fight to control ourselves, against our vices, our impulses, and our worst selves. We are engaged in a battle to discipline our behaviors, to focus on things that matter, and to think about positive and good things. In a way, we have to fight to be better, to do good, and to think positively because it’s always easier to do the opposite.

Trusting For that Good Soulful Feeling (365 Days of Daring Faith — DAY 332)

Psalm 116:7 (NLT)
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.

When we talk and think about taking care of our physical bodies, we usually refer to exercise, dieting, good nutrition, regular check-ups at the doctor’s office, proper nutrition, and regular sleep. Without proper functioning in our physical bodies, it is unlikely that we will survive or thrive very long. All of these are good things to consider in order to grow and be physically strong and stable in our lives.

7 Clear Signs You Need To Take a Break (365 Days of Spirited Living — DAY 330)

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”
— Ovid

If you have ever been through moments in your life here you felt like you just need a good long break, you likely were feeling to much stress due to a number of factors that affected your physical, emotional, and mental health. You probably didn’t feel like yourself, running on fumes or feeling like an empty shell. You may have thought to yourself that you need to do something about this stress before it kills you.