A return of Fall doesn’t just mean a return to pumpkin spice everything: it’s also a signal that the end of the year is coming. Even if you’re no longer wrapped up in the back-to-school frenzy, you might still feel the intensity that comes with end of year deadlines. With all those demands comes the added weight of stress and anxiety.
Those dreaded twins are unfortunately part of the tidal wave that comes with life. We can’t really avoid them, but we can mentally and physically prepare for them. Keeping our cool in times of change is a skill we can all develop.
Here are a few tips that can help you keep calm and carry on:
The best way to calm yourself during times of intense stress is with the support of Prophetic duas. The Prophet SWS used to deal with stress as he spread the message of Islam. Our beloved Prophet faced the worst types of assaults including verbal and physical abuse. He was constantly trying to protect himself and his family from attacks from all those who didn’t believe in the message. One way the Prophet SWS was able to keep calm and collected was through the use of dua. The Prophet SWS used to say these duas in times of worry:
“O Allah, I seek refuge with You from worry, grief, incapacity, laziness, miserliness, cowardice, debt, and being overpowered by (other) men.” (Al-Bukhari)
“O the Living, O the Eternal, I seek help in Your grace.” (Tirmidhi)
“O Allah, I hope for Your mercy, so give me not over to myself even for as little as wink of an eye, and set right all my affairs, there is no god but You.” (Abu Daw’ud)
If you memorize these duas (or at least save them on your phone), you can recite them during times of stress and inshaAllah find immense relief.
Exercise is that little to-do that often ends up at the bottom of everyone’s task list. It’s always the easiest thing to drop when life gets busy. However, it’s the one thing that scientifically reduces the effects of anxiety and prevents depression. When you do physical activity like walking or running, you increase production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins. That endorphin boost that comes from a quick jog outside or a run on the treadmill can give you a mood boost. The key is to do it regularly. You can’t go long stretches of time without doing it and still expect your brain to feel the same response. It must be your consistent outlet. So fit it into your schedule and keep it there!
Just as people can make your blood boil, they can also calm your soul. Feeling connection with friends and family can allow your cortisone levels to recede. Being in the company of people who love us gives us the stable grounding we need to do the hard things in life. When we experience turbulence in the world and in our lives, we can rest assured knowing that our loved ones will be able to help give us a new perspective and a good hug that will inspire us to once again take a step forward.
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