Manage Stress with GAS TANK Guidelines

GAS TANK Guidelines? It seems to be a rather odd phrase, perhaps even a bit quirky. Gas tanks could not be related to thoughts of mind, body, and soul. Or could they? What could we possibly learn from gas tanks? How do they relate to our lives? In fact, we have much to learn from these very important vessels of energy.

We live in an era of speed and stress, where fast-paced living is the norm. The busyness of our lives competes with our heart’s desire to connect with others, to share, to give, to relate, to create, to relax, to rest. We often find ourselves tired, worn-out, with little to give to ourselves or others. We have good hearts, kind hearts. But in today’s world, our hearts (and bodies and minds) can become weary and burdened with the stress of day-to-day-living. Job stress. Economic stress. Family stress. Relationship stress. Stress. A common symptom of experiencing continuous stress is energy loss. And this, my friends, is where our gas tanks, and what they symbolize, become important.

At some point you figure out that your energy supply is not endless, your gas levels go down, and begin to dwindle. Until, one day you find yourself running on fumes or, worse yet, running out of your precious energy. This feels bad in so many ways…physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. Eventually you may not have enough gas on reserve to give out any more…or to keep yourself functioning. Stressed out. Empty. Lessons learned? You must always have enough gas on reserve to function. Be aware of how much gas you can give away. In order to have enough gas for yourself as well as enough gas to give away, you must renew your energy levels regularly.

How do we renew these energy levels regularly? In keeping with our “gas tank” theme, below are 7 ideas, also known as GAS TANK Guidelines:

Each of these 7 GAS TANK Guidelines speak to concepts that are energy renewing. They are simple, positive, and important. Yet they are sometimes easily dismissed or unused, especially during times of increased and/or continuing stress. When our gas tank is nearing empty, we can feel the negative effects of our inability to give gas (or energy) toward our activities and projects, as well as to those we care for and are concerned about. As the gas gauge continues to slowly move downward, we can also feel the negative impacts on ourselves. We lose energy and enthusiasm. We feel stressed and depressed. We get angry and abrasive. We may even feel the impacts of this stress on our bodies through increased pain, poor sleep, and a general state of dis-ease. The 7 energy renewing GAS TANK Guidelines can help to prevent us from “running on empty” by utilizing our natural resources to restore our balance and equilibrium. Consider this…

Consider beginning a Gratitude Journal. Each day take the time to ponder what you are grateful for. And, from a spiritual view, gratitude is not only encouraged, but rewarded. Psalm 107:1 (NIV) says “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

One of the most beautiful and amazing aspects of our lives is as close as a breath away. In fact, it is just that…our breath. How many times a day do we breathe in and out, never paying attention, completely unaware of the life-giving ability of our breath? Take a moment to close your eyes and to feel the breath as it enters and leaves your body. Bringing in nourishing and replenishing oxygen and releasing the carbon dioxide that our body does not need…but that our plants do! How amazing is that?

Consider spending a bit of time each day, intentionally becoming aware of yourself, your breath, and your surroundings. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.

When we move and are active, as in through regular exercise, our bodies create chemicals known as endorphins. These chemicals interact with receptors in the brain and produce very pleasant results: reducing the perception of pain, triggering a positive feeling in the body, and supporting a positive outlook on life. So, when life has you stressed, get active. Dance. Walk. Swim. Move. Remember, “motion is lotion.”

Take time to rest. Relax. Take a break from the busyness of life…even if you need to schedule these nurturing moments in your planner or on your calendar. Just take the time. Your gas tank will say thank you.

Here are some additional resources

(Click on IMAGES and HIGHLIGHTED AREAS for each specific resource)

Articles

• Coping Skills: Tools for Living a Healthy Life is all about developing and utilizing coping skills.
• Stress And The Silent To-Do List explores stress, stress management, and a unique stressor known as The Silent To-Do List.
• Feeling Overwhelmed? discusses 4 key strategies to consider when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Book

• Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. This book covers our relationship with stuff…but also so much more. It discusses our relationships with many more important aspects of our lives. For more information click on the book’s image below. You can also check out my Book Review. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Handout

• A colorful handout that summarizes the 7 energy renewing GAS TANK Guidelines.

Music Therapy Playlist

• Stress-LESS Music Therapy Playlist to kick back, close your eyes, and go on a musical journey when you’re having a stressful day.

Videos

• GAS TANK GUIDELINES VIDEO – When you want a quick, and entertaining, reminder of the 7 energy renewing GAS TANK Guidelines…complete with music!
• BREATHING VIDEO– The Just Breathe Video describes and demonstrates a simple, yet effective breathing technique called 4:8 Breathing.

My hope is that these 7 energy renewing GAS TANK Guidelines have been helpful. Until next time, keep your gas tank full. Live. Breathe. Give. Smile. Rest. Repeat.

Manage Stress with GAS TANK Guidelines is a revised and updated article, previously published as Gas Tank Guidelines (Parts I and II) by The Heart’s Way, Imagery and Insights in November 2015.