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L I V E I T Today’s best advice from Christian books. http://liveit.crosswalk.com/

HOW IS YOUR STRESS FITNESS?

Some people just seem to handle stress better than others. Certain life habits can prepare you well for stress: they give you a kind of cushion for the hard knocks of life. Stress fitness helps increase your ability to better deal with it.

* Do you follow an exercise program each week? This can undo some of the damage stress does to your system, lowering blood pressure and strengthening your cardiovascular system.

* Find an exercise activity you enjoy. Commit to it. Schedule it three times a week for at least a half-hour. See your doctor before starting.

* Plan for year-round activity. Don’t let the too hot or too cold seasons keep you from activity; if you miss a day, don’t fret.

* Are you eating nutritionally balanced and healthful meals? If you put good stuff into your body, your body will put out a good effort for you, particularly in times of stress.

* Enjoy food in moderation.

* See your doctor for an appropriate diet plan. Avoid fad diets and the hype surrounding certain foods.

* It is easy to depend on nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine in stressful times – none of which are healthful to your body.

* Do you take regular breaks during the day in order to relax? You will be more productive over the long haul.

* When you take a break, really relax. Don’t talk business.

* Remember the Sabbath and keep it free from errands or work activities.

* Don’t eat lunch at your desk get away from the work environment – if even for a short period.

* Remember solitude. You need time to hang out with friends but you also need time alone. Turn off pagers and cell phones.

* Are you able to assert your feelings in appropriate ways?

* Commit to honest, accurate communication.

* Couch your criticism in praise.

* Speak the truth in love.

* Do you place a high value on your primary relationship(s), and set aside time to work on improving it (them)? Supportive spouse, children, or parents can cushion the blows of life, empower you to face your daily challenges, and undergird you with a sense of security and significance.

* Don’t take your relationships for granted; make them a priority.

* Have fun. The best relationships are those with laughter, with people who can have fun together.

* Read together. Pray together. Talk together.

* Be a servant; seek the well-being of the other.

* Do you have work or a hobby that gives you a sense of meaning and purpose?

* Learn what you can do. Take an aptitude test as well as a spiritual gifts test.

* Look for meaning on the job. What parts of your job have importance – to you or someone else?

* Volunteer; help someone else.

* Connect with others. Don’t spend all your time alone with your hobby.

* Do you have a strong faith? Stress comes when you sense you are not in control. There is comfort, though, in knowing that God is always in control.

* Set aside a regular time for prayer or meditation.

* Request, but also rest. Listen to God. Take time just to be with Him.

* Breathe your prayers. As you go throughout the day, take your prayers with you.

* Pray with others. You can build great relationships by joining others in brief times of prayer.

———– Thomas A. Whitman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and founder and president of Life Counseling Services. He helps direct Fresh Start Seminars which focus on divorce recovery. He has authored or co-authored several books, including The Marriage Mender, Adult ADD, Victim of Love? and The Complete Stress Management Workbook. He lives with his wife and three children in Berwyn, Pa.

Randy Peterson has written numerous books, including several on psychological theme. He is co-author of The Complete Stress Management Workbook and Victim of Love?. Randy also creates educational curriculum for youth and adults. He lives in Westville, N.J.

>From Stress Test by Thomas Whiteman, Ph.D. and Randy Petersen. Copyright (c)

2000. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing, Colorado Springs, Colo. All rights reserved. For copies of the book, visit http://www.navpress.com.