We were created to enjoy life – though that should not be our main focus in life, it’s one aspect of understanding God’s heart. His son, Jesus, demonstrated what it looks like to live with a thankful attitude. Jesus always relying, seeking, and praising his heavenly father. He had a balance between serving and resting. (Luke 5:16, John 4:6, Mark 4:38-40)

Without this cheerful and positive attitude throughout his life, I bet he would’ve given up in the midst of all his difficulties and frustrations (Mark 1:40–45, Mark 10:13-14).

When your focus is on how much you need to do, and how little time you have left, stress will quickly snowball in your life. While we can’t and shouldn’t ignore our responsibilities, we can practice some healthy habits to keep our mental wellness in check:

Tip 1: Take Care of Your Health

Our physical well-being is tied closely with our mental state, and vice versa. (Luke 22:45) If we wish to be our best for others, we need to also take care of ourselves.

If you work at a desk job, it’s important to plan exercise into your schedule. You can also incorporate healthier practices into your schedule like planning more active things to do with friends or cooking meals with family instead of ordering takeout. Building a healthy lifestyle requires some compromise, but trying to be healthier as a community is a huge encouragement.

Tip 2: Keep Things Manageable

Your workload may include your job, house chores, or appointments. Make a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish and rank them in order of importance and urgency. This will help you focus on the most critical tasks first and ensure that you are not wasting time on less important tasks.

Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, focus on one task at a time by breaking down your work into smaller, manageable tasks. This will help you feel more in control and prevent your mind from getting distracted. Don’t take on too much in a day; make a list of what you will focus on just for today and let yourself rest afterwards.

Working hard is a good virtue, but the world’s advice to ‘keep pushing your limits’ creates unnecessary pressure – it’s no wonder so many people are stressed out! We’re only responsible for trying our best. God knows our heart and intentions; we can trust him with what we cannot handle. (Psalm 73:26)

We all have limitations, and need to choose what to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to. When we find a healthy balance for ourselves, we begin to thrive. What works for one person may not work for you, so use discernment when deciding on what is most helpful for your life.

Tip 3: Plan for Things You Enjoy

You work for a living, but what do you live for? God made us for more than just getting a paycheck. 

Go for a walk, read a book, or talk to a friend. Why work so hard, but never enjoy the life you’ve built? Try to plan at least one activity you enjoy, once a day. Instead of waiting for a burnout moment, you can prevent that in the first place by forming a manageable schedule. 

Stepping away from your work when you can’t solve a problem allows you to calm down, reflect, and perhaps come up with a creative solution. Taking a break from work for a fun activity also helps keep life interesting.

Tip 4: Make Time for Relationships

No matter how busy I get, I make time for people. Work will always be there, but the parts of life we cherish the most is the time we’ve spent with people.

When a friend wants to talk, don’t rush to leave or give the impression that you don’t have time for them. This doesn’t mean letting others take all your time, but allowing for interruptions and a space to connect. Jesus demonstrates this throughout his busy schedule in ministry.

Don’t be afraid to seek support when you need it. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, seek guidance from a mentor, or join a support group. God created us for community – to fellowship and support one another through the highs and lows.

Tip 5: Stay Thankful

We can’t always control our situation but we can control our attitude. I’m not talking about manipulating your feelings, but focusing your mind on the truth in God’s word will help you develop a healthy perspective of your situation. This includes being thankful whether we have more or less. (Philippians 4:11-13)

I can testify that trusting in God has never been a bad choice. Though I may not understand in the moment or even when I am very unhappy with my situation, I know that God really does know best and has my best interest in mind. I’m not telling you to ignore your problems. God knows all the details and all of your struggles. I’m simply encouraging you to keep a godly attitude as this will be most beneficially for you.

Here some verses for your heart to practice thankfulness:

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.