Keeping Your Sanity

Keeping your sanity in times of trial takes effort and dedication to self-care, awareness of your needs, and maintaining mental health. Think about what you're thinking about and and if its not constructive or pulls you in a negative direction, shut it down! You've got to remind yourself that the bad times or hurdles in life are temporary, you are strong, and more importantly remember that God has already given you all that you need to be victorious!!! In fact it says so in the Bible and in many places. For instance, 2 Peter 1:3-8 is a great example! It begins by telling you that the divine power of God has given us everything we need for this life. Isaiah 40:31 talks about renewing our strength through hope in the Lord. John 16:33 Jesus assures us that we will face trials of many kinds, but He reminds us that He has overcome the world. Exodus 15:2 states that the Lord is our strength and defense. 

Keeping your sanity isn't just about mind control, but soul control and what you allow into your spirit. Proverbs 4:23 is an excellent example concerning this matter....."Above all else, guard your heart, for all that you do flows from it." To guard your heart emphasizes the importance of actively protecting your inner thoughts, emotions, and desires as they significantly determine your actions and life choices. The heart is central: The Bible often uses the "heart" to metaphorically to represent the core of a person's being, including their thoughts, emotions, and motivations. You've got to be intentional about what you are going to actively choose what influences you and what you let into your heart. What you allow into your heart ultimately effects your actions and decisions in life. 

You may be asking at this point, " Okay so how do I preserve my sanity?" I have a list of things you can use to accomplish this. 1.] Exercise! Get out for a trail walk, go to the gym, or any kind of cardio that will help you decompress. Lifting weights and cardio are two things that help me. 2.] Sleep! You have got to get an adequate amount of sleep in order to stay well, clear headed, and have the energy needed to tackle what each day has in store for you. 3.] Remember this saying...." Grace for the pace...." God only gives us enough grace for the moment, the day we are in. 4.] Focus on gratitude 5.] Watch what "videos" you allow to play in your mind 6.] Mentally compartmentalize your day using doors.......we'll say you have 5 doors. Door number one when you first wake is coffee and God time. ALLLL other doors must remain closed until you are finished with that. Then comes work.....focus on work and work only! At the end of the day, have written down what you would like to accomplish and nothing unrealistic. Carve in time for your family. The work door must remain closed during this time. Then, relaxation and time to unwind before bed. Finally, we have the sleep door and all others in your mind must stay closed, locked, and cannot be opened until the next day. At the end of your work day, schedule time to write down your goals and to do list for the next day that way your head isn't spinning trying to remember everything you need to do. It's written down and you can put it away, not having to think about it, and even better than that, you have a much higher chance of being more productive and less stressful day. Learn to be flexible because not every day is going to go exactly as planned and you have to be able to shift gears and not get stressed. Stress is part of life and is bound to arise inside of us, but it's easier to tame if you're flexible. When I said be realistic and reasonable about your to do lists, you've got to remember the grace for the pace statement as well as being okay with not everything being able to get done in one day. It'll still be there tomorrow! End the day knowing you've done all you can and have done your best and that's enough!

While I have been in the hospital I have had plenty of time to think and that got me on the subject of how to keep your sanity during trying times, especially when you aren't in control and are forced to be patient, acceptance of the things you cannot change or control, and watching your focus to ward off depression and anxiety. I have been greatly challenged this week with all of the things I just mentioned. I have had to deal with being in horrible pain and my pain meds being late, lack of sleep because of all the noise we all know hospitals are known for, the toll it takes on you mentally and emotionally being stuck in the hospital, etc!!! I have coped with the obstacles faced this week by praying a LOT, being solution oriented knowing how to cheer myself up, and keeping my grace / mercy plentiful for the nurses who have been less than favorable to deal with remembering that I don't know what kind of day they're having or how much they have on their plates. I give a lot of grace because I know that's what I would want in their position! I watch fun movies, message family, etc. Like I said, I know myself and what I need to deal / cope with whatever comes my way. 

I hope to be able to post again tomorrow! I'll be back as often as possible until I can get back to posting daily. Have a great weekend friends [ what's left of it ].