Let’s face it, sometimes life just beats you up. Whether it’s stress at home or some crazy deadlines at work, we all go through seasons where there’s too much to do and not enough time to make it happen. Stacy Goebel layed out her situation in a comment earlier this week:
You know what? Today in a creative meeting, I was just exhausted. The problem with weekends is that they come every week. Sometimes I feel like we are working so hard just to stay afloat. Someone posed an idea that was so excellent and fresh and creative. All I thought about was about how on earth could we possibly implement it. Overwhelmed.
How do you combat fatigue??
If you work in ministry, chances are that you feel the same way quite often. Here are the four ways I try to keep my sanity…
1) Pray About It
This one’s so simple that you may be rolling your eyes; however, I think it’s good to remind ourselves how important this actually is. It’s easy to forget that God is the source of all of our life, energy and creativity. Check out this quote from 1 Peter:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
That sounds pretty straightforward to me; by laying my anxiety on God, I’m venting to the only One that can really do anything about it. On top of that, it’s refocusing my mind on eternal things and not on my own stupid self and the issues I’m blowing out of proportion. It’s a good habit to develop.
2) Focus on Today
Here’s a doozy… You know all of that stuff coming up next month that keeps you up at night? Quit thinking about it. Here’s one of my favorite verses from Matthew (emphasis mine):
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
3) Actually Sleep and Eat a Good Meal
Every now and then, you may have a project or deadline that requires a late night; sometimes that’s just the nature of the beast. However, when you haven’t slept in days and your family is on the verge of throwing you out to the street, it’s time to draw the line.
It’s just not worth it to kill yourself for a deadline… Sometimes it’s okay to say “no” or “later.” Force yourself to get regular sleep each night and actually take the time out to eat a healthy meal. It will make a dramatic impact on the effectiveness of your working hours. You’re of no use to the rest of your team when you’re an angry, drooling zombie.
4) Force Yourself to Decompress
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Take a lesson from The Shining… Things don’t end well when you haven’t taken the time to unwind.
Take a walk. Make a Starbucks run (I prefer ICEEs myself). Crank your favorite music up to 11. Get some office toys and start a nerf war. Just do something to snap yourself out of cubicle-rot. Fatigue is much worse when you start drifting into a stress-induced depression.
Now you know my fatigue-fighting routine. What are some of your favorite tips?
Brilliamt! Thanks for your timely encouragement!!