We need ways to relieve life pressure if we’re to avoid burnout. But how? Let’s discuss some pressure relief outlets.
Pressure Sources
We must find outlets for pressure relief during the heat of daily life.
Why? Because otherwise life becomes unsustainable.
How so? We burnout. Become emotional. We snap back at others.
Ok, what are some sources of life pressure? Well, let’s name a few!
Work can be a major source of life pressure. As can relationships. Likewise for making ends meet when we’re out of work.
Holding it together for others is a source of constant pressure in life when we feel we must always be the adult in the room.
Granted, some of these pressures we create ourselves. Whereas, some life pressures are external to us.
Moreover, some pressures are controllable. Others are not.
Pressure Relief Outlets
Since we don’t control all sources of life pressure, what are we to do? Thus, what are some pressure relief outlets we can make use of?
Most likely, these pressure-relief outlets will be different for each one of us, hence the importance of being self-aware.
First, we must sense when the pressure is building up. As an example, I’m tempted to respond inappropriately to someone.
Second, we must have already developed some self-control techniques. Examples include taking a breath and counting to ten. These are in-the-moment responses. They’re examples of thinking appropriately on our feet.
Third, and longer term, we must know what works best for us as recurring ways to relieve the life pressure we’re feeling.
Common suggestions for pressure relief include:
1). Regular exercise. Adequate sleep. A sound diet.
2). Taking a night off without responding to email.
3). Listening to some music.
4). A debrief with yourself during the drive home from work.
In short, know yourself and give yourself some slack — on a regular basis.
Thinking Critically
In Proverbs 1.4 Solomon discusses two traits — subtilty and discretion. In place of subtilty, you may see words such as prudence and insight in some translations of scripture. We can think on our feet, thus respond with subtilty — in the moment.
These two, subtilty and discretion, are elements of our ability to think critically.
The Hebrew word that’s translated “discretion” in Proverbs 1.4 indicates deep thoughtfulness. When we think deeply we act appropriately because we side-step our simple-mindedness.
We must make time for reflection and deep thinking. We use discretion because we have learned to reflect deeply when we make time to step back and review what’s happened.
What we’re reading here is an early version of “think fast, think slow.”
Additionally, according to Proverbs 2.11, that thoughtfulness protects us. From what? For one thing, it protects us from making poor choices such as inappropriate responses!
Apply This Today!
Purposeful reflection generates life learning to guide our actions.
We can combine reflection with a willingness to listen. Deep thoughtfulness produces experiential insight. In turn, that insight leads to wise behavior.
Precept-based living frees us from the trap of shallow-mindedness. Additionally, it reduces our hard-headedness and lack of focus.
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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