Say Good Morning To Emotional Balance: And Good-Bye to Stress, Anxiety, and Feelings of Overwhelm

The way we start our day can be a catalyst that jump-starts our whole day. One thing that helps me feel more emotionally balanced is by starting my day in prayer.

I start my day on my knees, thanking God for His blessings, His mercies, and grace that He pours into me every day. I intentionally sprinkle my days with fun activities I enjoy, such as kissing my husband, playing with my dog, and asking my daughter about her life. In addition to spending time with God and making time to be with family and friends, I create space for my well-being to help me stay calm, focused, and to allow myself opportunity to release tension when I feel burned-out or overwhelmed.

How are you starting your day? Do you wake up prioritizing your relationship with God? Being grateful for the blessings in your life? Employing fun activities into your daily schedule?

1. When was the last time you did something that made you feel alive and energized?

2. When was the last time you did something for the first time?

3. What is something you can do this week to invite joy, meaning, and purpose into your life?

For, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that [you] may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

Some of the ways that we can find emotional balance can include:

Stop, take a step away from the situation, breathe, relax, and bring yourself back to a place of calm.

Practice gratitude. What are three things you are grateful for today?

Focus on the positive and what you can control. When feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, surrender it to God. Find comfort in God's peace, "which surpasses all understanding."

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord our God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to feel them, if you don't they will consume you and come out in unhealthy ways. Use that knowledge to bring clarity and peace so you can respond to people in healthy ways. Our emotions are there to tell us something and we need to listen and give them a voice so we can move forward with a clear understanding and respond appropriately. It is not only healthy, but essential to set boundaries for ourselves and let others know when we need time out for our well-being and to walk away from a situation, or when we need space to think and process before continuing the conversation.

Journal your emotions; how you reacted, and how you would have preferred to "respond" instead, so you can respond in a healthy way next time a similar situation arises. This exercise can help you identify emotional triggers, see patterns, and bring greater awareness and empathy toward yourself and others as you learn to overcome difficult emotions.

Be present and find ways to stay grounded. One way to do this is through your five senses: What you see, what you smell, what you feel, hear, and taste. For instance you can take a moment to look at your surroundings, feel the sun on your face, hear the birds chirping outside your window, and smell the coffee brewing in the kitchen.

Breathe in God's blessings and exhale life's worries and stressors

Establish a strong social support system, for fear is afraid of community.

Choose your battles. Winning a battle doesn't always mean we "win," if winning means hurting the person we love.

Find humor in a situation. " “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”Proverbs 17:22

Reflect

Volunteer

Practice random acts of kindness

Implement regular self-care into your daily routine

Dream. Dance. Shout praises of joy, for our joy comes from the Lord.

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:5-11)

1. In what ways are you finding emotional balance?

2. How are you setting healthy boundaries?

3. Are you practicing daily self-care?

"I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude." Brené Brown

You gotta:

"Sing like no one is listening.

Love like you’ve never been hurt.

Dance like nobody’s watching,

and live like it’s heaven on earth."

(Quote attributed to a variety of people including Mark Twain, Satchel Paige, and William Purkey)