Thriving During Stressful Situations

How to manage stress

Your body feels tense, sleep is up and down, time feels like it is slipping and as soon as you feel like you have a bit of a footing on life, one more thing comes and demands your attention.

It’s hard to know what a social life looks like before COVID – but now?

It feels like survival is the only option. Thriving during stress appears to be a far-off, whimsical idea.

Well, if you somehow squeezed in the chance to read this – pause – resist the urge to skim through and think “that had some nice thoughts” and continue buzzing through your day.

Pause.

Close your eyes, if you’d like, and let yourself rest and notice all the ways in which your body and mind have been on overdrive.

As you observe the places where tension and tiredness is sitting – ask yourself how those parts of yourself have been serving you.

Are your muscles stiff and joints aching? Does your head feel like it’s swimming? Are you to the point it feels like your eyes want to close but they can’t? Does it feel like you are carrying more than you feel able? You’ve been giving so much of yourself that your body is starting to hold what you have not had time to process. Or maybe you feel if you slowed down you worry there is too much to process, and it’s easier to just keep going?

You don’t have to just “get by.” It’s time to ask for help and unburden yourself. Challenge the idea that there is nowhere to turn to. Question the thought that it’s not worth reflecting on the matters at hand. Ask yourself – is this sustainable? It’s time to move from “surviving” to thriving!

Here are some suggestions.

Turn towards your faith.

Maybe it’s been some time since you’ve felt connected to your faith or you’ve fallen away. You’re not alone! Many people fluctuate with their connection to their faith identity for many reasons. Here is a great book to look into on this: “It’s Not Supposed to Be this Way – Finding Unexpected Strength when Disappointments Leave You Shattered” by Lysa Terkeurst

Find a way to renew yourself.

Give yourself permission to care for yourself and your needs. It’s not selfish! If you ever have been on a plane, the flight attendants will inform you that in case of emergency, you need to put on your own oxygen mask before you help the person beside you. What is your best way to “get some oxygen,” so to speak? Is it a day trip to the beach or the mountains? Painting? Gardening? Building a puzzle while listening to your favorite music? Is there a way to build silence and rest into your day?

Ask for help.

Many people feel they have to endure trial alone – that what they are experiencing is “too much” or a “burden” for others. Others feel they will be judged and misunderstood. Not relying on others means spreading yourself thin and is a recipe for burnout. If this is true for you, please reach out. What does your support system look like? If you are not sure who to trust or are struggling to find healing, make an appointment with a counselor who seems like a good fit for your needs – that’s what counselors are here for!

You are not meant to go this alone. If you feel like you are trying to survive and are struggling to get by, know this – you are meant to thrive, even when times are stressful!

Jessica Block MA, NCC, LCMHCA

Self-Improvement Tips That Will Help You Move Forward In Success

Personal Growth Tactics

Successful people often have a few common characteristics that have helped them move past their mental roadblocks and into a thriving mindset. There are hundreds of videos and self-help books out there that share success tips and tricks but success boils down to self-improvement and personal growth.

Here are a few things to keep in mind that can help you move forward in success…

Develop A Growth Mindset

Successful people are not afraid of making mistakes and taking on challenges. They leave their fixed mindset behind…the one telling them they’ll never change and their environment will always stay the same… to move into a growth mindset.

People who have a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. They always take away lessons from the negative things that have happened in order to build resilience.

While setbacks happen to everyone, you can keep moving forward in positivity even after a few steps back. That’s what resilience is all about!

For example, instead of thinking, “I really don’t understand this new program at work. I’ll never understand it so I give up!,” try thinking with personal growth in mind, “I don’t know it yet, but I will learn.”

Don’t let the fear of failure be the voice that stands in the way of your success in life.

Create a Plan

Personal development plans help you stay on track and meet your goals. They are a good way to attain more self-awareness and figure out what aspects of personal development have been working and which aspects you need to improve.

Not sure where to start? Grab a notebook or journal and make a commitment to write each day. Evaluate your vision and your values. What does success look like and feel like to you? Create small and measurable steps to get there.

Include periodic check-ins with questions like…

Am I taking care of my mental and physical health?

Am I coping with stress effectively?

Are my goals aligned with my life vision?

Coping with Stress

Coping with stress in a healthy way is an important part of the journey to success. Stress can blur your clarity and focus. It can have an effect on how you eat, sleep, or think. Stress can dampen your productivity and create problems in meaningful relationships.

Managing stress is an important part of your overall health and wellness. Try incorporating some common stress-relieving habits like meditation, exercise, socializing, reading, or simply changing up your environment.


It is also important to know your triggers when you feel extremely overwhelmed and need a break. We understand. You’re tired of just surviving each day. You want something different. You’re ready to take your life back, to gain control over your thoughts and feelings, to repair your relationships. You were made for more than just surviving; you were made to thrive.

Our team of licensed therapists in Fuquay-Varina and Raleigh help struggling individuals, couples, and families gain hope, reclaim their foundation, and move from surviving to thriving.

How Christian Counseling Can Help You Overcome Fear

Fear and anxiety are real challenges in life.

Perhaps we face them now more than ever as we continue to live in uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. Sometimes, the thoughts in your head can be so overwhelming and disruptive that it’s hard to sleep at night. It seems like your mind is working in overdrive with no way to calm down.

This is what it’s like to live in fear.

How To Move Forward In Faith

Fear has a lot to do with perception. The Bible teaches us to develop courage and faith to allow us to embrace the unknown. As Dr. David Calvert, Pastor for Creative Arts at Grace Community Church in Angier, NC said,

“The gospel tells us of God’s overwhelming love for us, proved in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – but sometimes we need help remembering God’s forgiveness and remembering God’s deep love.

Dr. David Calvert

A Christian therapist can help a client remember what is true in the gospel.

How Our Faith Impacts Counseling

Our faith influences our worldview. Therefore, we are open and honest about our beliefs as they influence how we understand healing, pain and hope. However, at Foundations Family Therapy we work with individuals with different perspectives and backgrounds.

“Many people are crippled by shame or the perceived inability to forgive themselves or others, and faith-based therapy is equipped to break down those perceived barriers to help Christians live in ways that bear the fruit of the Spirit,” said Dr. Calvert.

When you begin therapy, your counselor will meet you wherever you are in your faith journey. Faith-based therapy can work very well within the context of discipleship, coming alongside pastors and others making disciples by helping provide key insights and training for emotional health.

Finding God in your struggle

As we head into Easter Weekend, take moment and evaluate your relationship with God. Maybe you’re struggling with your faith and having doubts about God. Maybe you’re wondering “where God is” in the midst of your circumstances. You know he’s there but you can’t feel or sense him and you feel lost, hopeless and disconnected.

Our Christian therapists can help you learn from God’s promises that he will not leave you or forsake you. Christian counseling could help you find hope in your circumstances and identify purpose in the midst of your pain.

3 Places in the Raleigh area to feel close to God

Scenery with Pink tones | Foundations Family Therapy in Raleigh, NC 27606 provides family counseling in Fuquay Varina, NC 27526. Online therapy in North Carolina is also available with an online therapist in North Carolina from Foundations Family Therapy!

Where do you feel close to God?

It’s so important to feel connected regardless of your current circumstances. Let’s look at some local places to feel close to God.

Nature

Immersing yourself in nature and experiencing God’s creation is a great way to feel connected to God. Going for a hike at William B. Umstead State Park, watching birds, looking up at the trees, and tent camping under the stars reminds us of how small we are in His infinite and beautiful creation.

Rent a kayak at Lake Johnson Nature Park and listen for His voice in the stillness. “ 11  The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  12  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  13  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19: 11-13.

Church Community

We are stronger in community with others. Some feel closer to God through worship, through hearing scripture, through prayer, or through engaging in small group communities with other believers. There are so many wonderful churches in Raleigh and the surrounding area. Some options are Church on Morgan, Elevation Church, Journey Church, and Grace Community Church just to name a few.

Do some research to see what churches are in your area to connect with others to encourage your faith. 24  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  25  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24-25.

Right where you are

Feeling close to God can start simply by creating a safe and comfortable space where you are right now. It could be at home or work. It could be in the mornings or during your lunch break with coworkers. Opening your Bible and connecting with scripture and prayer can be the first step. Connecting with a devotional app such as YouVersion is a wonderful way to connect scripture with guided reading and reflection. You can start by reading devotionals alone or with a friend.

If church itself seems like a big step or you have had past negative church experiences, start first with reading a devotional with someone you trust. We are designed to be together so don’t walk alone in your faith. 20  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20.

If you are going through a challenging life season right now, check out ‘Hope When it Hurts’ which is a guided women’s devotional for coping with suffering and difficult times. Also, connect with us at FFT to help guide you and help you reconnect with your faith. Let us walk with you.