When you are tired, everything can be a struggle. Today I am so excited to have Emily, from Morning Motivated Mom, sharing nine action steps to take when you are tired. Make sure to connect with her more HERE.
We all have those days. When we are tired. Weary. Stressed. Frustrated. Struggling with patience. I can keep the small every-day stresses in perspective. There are so many trials that would be worse: losing a loved one, losing our home, dealing with great sickness. I still need to find ways to get out of a down moment or down day.
Here are 9 steps to take when you are tired, weary and stressed:
Look for joy
Even when frustrated, there is often a joyous moment around the corner. Even when my girl is acting up and frustrating me, it’s usually only a few minutes later that I think she is most wonderful. I end up laughing with her and being completely overcome with love. A child’s laughter can bring you back. When frustrated, I remind myself just to wait for the joyful moment as it’s probably just minutes away.
Spend time in God’s Word
Ask God for wisdom. He gives us His Word as our guide. Spending time in His Word sets our hearts in the right place. It helps us to set the right priorities for our day and for our life.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ~ Proverbs 4:23
Pray
Ask Him for help. Trust that He will take care of it.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6
Know what refreshes you
Figure out what quick activity or treat refreshes and relaxes you. If that gives you a little more patience to get you through the day…schedule it in!! I’m not big at finding time for yourself “because you deserve it”. But…I do think that we need to find time to relax and refresh.
Let go. Don’t strive for perfection. Do not strive to do it all.
Our daughter did not get a birthday party this year. My husband’s work schedule is currently ridiculously crazy and we had plans to make two trips out of town within a week. It would have caused a fair amount of stress to throw her a party the day after getting back into town. I had a feeling our stress levels would be high and our patience levels would be low. I’m not sure how enjoyable the party would have been. We skipped having the big 4th of July picnic that we usually have for her. I did feel a little guilty the days leading up to her birthday when she kept asking about her party, but in the end, I think it was better for all to keep her birthday low-key. We still tried to make it festive for her and she enjoyed the day. Party or not…she still turned 4. 🙂
Simplify your schedule and your home.
Do not try to do it all. Take a look at your schedule and commitments. You may find non-essential tasks that are only causing stress. Keri reminds us that we cannot do it all. I am desperately trying to simplify my home. This is a process for me. The less we have, the less we have to clean, organize, and keep track of.
Look your kiddos in the eye. Look your spouse in the eye.
There have been busy mornings when getting out of the house by a set time is not going smoothly. I find myself barking orders at my four year old and it’s not the most pleasant start to the day. If I stop to look my girls in the eye, I often am able to slow up and have more patience. Or there are afternoons when I’m trying to get a few items checked off my list when the little one is napping. If my four-year-old is “disrupting” me and trying to get my attention, stepping back and looking her in the eye immediately slows me down. It often causes me to stop, relax and enjoy a book or activity with her.
Reset. Change gears.
If I have had a long day with my girls, a simple change can help to reset our day. If the kiddos are getting antsy, get outside or plan an activity to wear them out. Some days this is obvious and easy. Some days this will feel like too much work, but it’s often worth it.
Check your perspective.
Remember that we have all we need. Everything we need. His grace is enough.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
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