Stress Management
All of face stresses, demands, and challenges in life. If not managed effectively, these can become overwhelming for us, perhaps even plunging us into depression, anxiety, or a sense of personal failure.
But we can learn to use stress productively as a springboard for new learning and growth. We can learn to set limits and boundaries, simplify our lives and our time, reduce the clutter in our homes and our schedules that can otherwise overwhelm us, and learn ways to increase the enjoyment in our lives and reduce the negative stress on our minds and bodies. The resources in this section will provide guidance for that process.
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Too Busy? Overwhelmed? Here's How to Fix It
"No matter how fast I run, I just can't seem to keep up with everything." "My life seems to be one crisis after another." "Exercise? Who has time for exercise?" "I know we should really spend more time as a couple and family - but life is just too busy."
Ever felt this way? Then you're not alone. More and more people are in an overscheduled, overwhelmed condition that saps physical energy, reduces time for essential relationships, and drains the joy out of life. A few simple tips can help you trim the stress in your life, making more room for the things that matter most.
LDS Articles on Simplifying Life and Setting Wise Priorities
Over the last several decades, LDS Church leaders have spoken out frequently about the many demands on our time, and how they can turn our attention away from the most essential things. With increasing frequency, they have offered counsel on how to simplify our lives, preserving time and energy for essential relationships and activities that can sustain us in a busy, ever-more demanding world.
Favorite Articles:
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Richard G. Scott, “First Things First,” Ensign, May 2001, 6 ("Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with "good things" so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?... Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do or so many challenges pressing down upon you that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential?" |
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Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best” Ensign, November 2007, 104-108 ("Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face many choices on what we will do with our time and other resources...We have to forgo some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families." |
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Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most,” Ensign, November 2010, 19-22. "If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most...As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves." |
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M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life's Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987, 13 "First, think about your life and set your priorities... Second, set short-term goals that you can reach... Third, through wise budgeting control your real needs and measure them carefully against your many wants in life... Fourth, stay close to your spouse, children, relatives, and friends... Fifth, study the scriptures... Sixth, schedule time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation... Seventh, [as] families, teach one another the gospel, preferably in a weekly family home evening... Finally, pray often as individuals and as families." |
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