Taking Care of Myself: Prayer for Stress Relief
About this article
April is Stress Awareness Month. Here is a short prayer about relieving stress by taking care of yourself.
Reflection
Sleep is a natural part of everyone's life, but many of us know little about
how important it is. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not
an option. Sleep does indeed sustain us. Not only does it regenerate our
physical being, but it also allows us to shut down and regenerate our brain.
Not having enough sleep lowers performance and concentration.
Unfortunately, youth ministry often can include many late-night
meetings, early-morning staff days, and long weekends, which often
equate to missed opportunities for good sleep. How often do we exchange
a good night's sleep for a few extra hours to complete our to-do list? Although
missing a full night's sleep once in a while is okay (though not
recommended), a consistent lack of good sleep is hard on the body, mind,
and spirit. In order to be fully present to the young people we serve, we
need regular restful sleep.
If adequate rest is not a part of your daily routine, then it is time to
evaluate your schedule and make adjustments.
Questions to Ponder
God who invented the yawn and the art of sleeping in, help me take care
of my body, mind, and spirit through proper sleeping habits. And help me
on those days when I haven't had enough sleep. Fill me with the energy of
the Holy Spirit so I can get my work done. Amen.
Sleep is a natural part of everyone's life, but many of us know little about
how important it is. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not
an option. Sleep does indeed sustain us. Not only does it regenerate our
physical being, but it also allows us to shut down and regenerate our brain.
Not having enough sleep lowers performance and concentration.
Unfortunately, youth ministry often can include many late-night
meetings, early-morning staff days, and long weekends, which often
equate to missed opportunities for good sleep. How often do we exchange
a good night's sleep for a few extra hours to complete our to-do list? Although
missing a full night's sleep once in a while is okay (though not
recommended), a consistent lack of good sleep is hard on the body, mind,
and spirit. In order to be fully present to the young people we serve, we
need regular restful sleep.
If adequate rest is not a part of your daily routine, then it is time to
evaluate your schedule and make adjustments.
Questions to Ponder
- How do I try to compensate for lack of sleep?
- What do I do when I have the opportunity to go to bed early?
- When I need sleep, how do I plan for a good night's rest?
For Consideration
- Schedule, schedule, schedule! Be sure to schedule smart. If you are planning
to attend a late-night event, plan a later start the next day, if possible.
- Catnaps (about 20 minutes long) are a great way to rev up your
energy--without the side eff ects of caff eine.
- Learn to recognize your own body's language. Dark circles and sallow
skin are a few signs of lack of sleep.
God who invented the yawn and the art of sleeping in, help me take care
of my body, mind, and spirit through proper sleeping habits. And help me
on those days when I haven't had enough sleep. Fill me with the energy of
the Holy Spirit so I can get my work done. Amen.
Acknowledgments
(This prayer is taken from Letting Go of the Chaos [Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press, 2007]. Copyright © 2007 by Saint Mary's Press. Permission is granted for this prayer to be used for classroom or campus ministry purposes. This prayer may not be republished in any form without written permission from Saint Mary's Press. To order this book, contact Saint Mary's Press at 800-533-8095, or visit our online catalog at www.smp.org/catalog.cfm.)Published February 19, 2008.
