One does not need to look far to realize a central truth about ministry: it can be incredibly stressful.
Wearing multiple hats, juggling competing priorities, and navigating the expectations of not only your church but your local community, can be a daunting task during the best of times. While the definition of stress is hard to operationalize, given its subjective nature, research suggests that chronic stress has a variety of negative health outcomes, such as heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. Therefore, it is vital for clergy in all seasons of ministry to explore not only ways to minimize stress in their lives but learn to identify stress triggers before they occur. For example, if a pastor has a habit of writing their sermon last minute, and the stress causes them such emotional discomfort that they are unable to sleep the night before preaching, it may be worthwhile to not only explore the stress itself, the last-minute writing, but the pastor’s potential relationship to avoidance or procrastination. In other words, to better navigate our stress, we must not only become aware of the specific events that cause our stress but garner a better understanding of the habits that precede a behavior and the stories we tell ourselves about those behaviors and experiences.
Cultivating a less stressful life takes time and intentionality. Here are some ways to address stress and stress triggers more holistically:
Consult a professional. Stress can at times be so overwhelming, that professional help may be needed to best explore our relationship to stress and identify a specific course of action unique to your context and life experience.
Prioritize play. Research suggests that those who participate in play , the act of spontaneously or intentionally setting time aside for activities or hobbies that cultivate feelings of happiness, are more likely to be in a better mood and cope with life’s demands more positively.1 Whenever possible, explore what allows you to enter a more playful state and schedule time to make play a priority.
Spend time in nature. A regular rhythm of engaging with nature, whether it’s going for long walks, or praying amongst the trees, is shown to reduce anxiety and promote better sleep. 2 Incorporating an intentional practice of exploring nature allows clergy to disconnect from technology and notice the interconnectedness of life.
For more information on how to manage stress, check out these resources:
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Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/
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Six Week Walking Plan: https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/files/2020/03/AHA-walking-plan.pdf
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Support Groups: https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups
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Pray As You Go-Christian Meditation: https://pray-as-you-go.org/