I have to confess, I do very little of these things. I think I am going to have to give up some things to replace them with healthier things.

Thanks – and keep ‘em coming.

My invitation to Art stands, and he can accept without fear of cameras, lights, and paparazzi on the prowl :>)

You are so right and I am glad that you have the freedom to create your own “in office” schedule. You are so right about going to a movie in the middle of the day. First, it’s cheaper. Second, it’s less crowded. Third, you can have movie popcorn for lunch! Good Gawd! But the real thing it does is give your mind a change to relax by stimulating it in a different direction.

Wesley said in his day that a pastor should read 5 hours per day to be a good pastor. Now that we have more forms of media, we need to reconsider that statement, according to Len Sweet, to spend 5 hours a day in one or more of the 5 dominant media forms of our day: books, internet, movies, TV, music. First, it allows us to exegete culture by deconstructing the media forms. Second, it causes our mind to think in different directions. Third, it builds storehouses of illustrative metaphors that people can identify with. Fourth, it builds storehouses of creative thought. I can’t personally spend 5 hours/day like that, but why not 2?

Also, I like what Craig Groshel says: he has his secretary block out a period of time 3 days/week for exercise.

It just has to be done…Oh, and take ALL of your vacation.

Art-
I’m blessed to only have to be in the office three days a week and am free to set my schedule around my strengths rather than artificial expectations. This disallows the unneeded stress of wishing I were somewhere else.

Call friends who have nothing to do with your ministry. Go for a walk at the local park. TURN OFF THE CELL PHONE. Take a nap. Go to a movie in the middle of the day. Go media free for a day or two. I think I read something about “solitude” here a while back; hiking provides that for me.

The ultimate stress reliever: Watch Bob Ross reruns on PBS. Nothing like “happy clouds” and “nice trees” to relax one’s self.

But I think ultimately this may be analogous to the apostles in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm. They worshiped Him, and His sufficiency was burned into their memories and hearts. Time and again, God has seen me through all the things that have come at me in a working career which (I just realized) hits 50 years next month.

That, and the fact that stress doesn’t affect a man’s hormones as much when you’re almost 70, as there aren’t nearly as many of them floating around to affect.

When I feel the stress building, I stop. Find a place to get by myself, and then I do some breathing and relaxation exercises that a counselor taught me.

3-5 Minutes of that and I’m better. Then ASAP, I will find a way to get some exercise by walking or even things like pushups or knee lifts work. A 5 minute walk will make so much of a difference.

I used to eat, but since I’ve spent time with a counselor and dealt with the cause of my emotionally driven eating, that is not an issue so much any more. And as a result, I’ve lost 35 lbs in the last 4 months.

Also, I delegate a lot of stuff. I have cut down what I actually do. And I am taking that day off, and I’m getting away monthly for a day just for a short sabbatical to in between my 2-3 days away each quarter.