4) Keep your body moving.
I’m not promoting an exercise routine or any specific workout though that’s always a good idea. That’s up to you.
I’m literally referring to keeping your body moving.
It’s far too easy to remain stationary and become sedentary in most leadership roles.
Allow yourself to move several times a day. If you are in deep study or on the phone or doing email, get up and stretch, take a few laps or go crazy and do a few push-ups.
Take a short walk.
Anything.
Keep moving; your body was designed for it, and it helps you feel better, think better, and lead better.
5) Do one simple thing for someone else.
Doing practical and physically present things for people is becoming more and more complicated as we are all wisely staying more socially distant.
But we can find ways to love and care for people.
I recently heard about someone having a meal delivered to an elderly couple who was afraid to go to the grocery store. It was a phone call and $25.00.
Another person picked up medicine for a friend.
The key is that this should be a joy for you, not a duty. No guilt, it’s a get to not a have to.
6) Take a break from social media.
Used wisely, social media is a useful tool that enhances ministry in significant ways.
Personally, however, we can use a break from social media, even if just for a few hours is healthy.
Use that time to read a good book, one not connected to your work.
The length of your break is obviously up to you. Some leaders go on a social media fast for weeks; others just shut down for a half-day on occasion.
The important thing is that you can, and do, take periodic breaks regardless of how long.
If you can’t lay your phone down for a few hours, “normal” may be difficult for you to find and experience.
7) Laugh!
This is a very serious time on our planet, but we need moments to breathe and feel normal for a bit.
Laughter is great for your soul. It’s a natural medicine to help you stay fresh and restore your physical and emotional energy so you can pour into and lead others.
For me, it might be an episode of Seinfeld, or just sharing a funny story with a friend over the phone or playing a board game with family!!
How about you?
Let’s not let the Enemy take advantage of what’s happening around us by stealing all the joy from our souls.
Find the everyday humor in your life.
8) Express gratitude
Few things restore and strengthen your soul more than a grateful heart.
It would be easy these days to get caught up in what you don’t have.
That’s a natural response to loss, and we all experience it to one degree or another.
The emotion that comes with that experience can be anywhere from discouraging to crushing.
But getting stuck there and dwelling on it is not helpful to you.
Do your best to focus on what you do have and the hope of a better future.
Those you lead don’t expect you to be superhuman, but they count on you to have hope.
9) Listen to music.
I’m a Beatles fan and proud of it. My new granddaughter already loves the Beatles at six weeks old. (Train up a child… )
What music do you love?
Music does wonders for the soul. Listen to some of your favorites as much as you can.
And of course, your favorite worship music is a great choice as well!
Just don’t do the guilt thing… if you like country, pop, classical, whatever, it’s OK, turn it up!
10) Pray God’s promises of love and hope.
I’ve saved the best for last.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
The longer I’m a Christian, the more I feel “bewildered and disoriented” when I’m not intimately close, daily, in my relationship with Jesus.
I love time with God. His promises alone keep me going on tough days.
One of my favorite passages is in Psalm:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalm 34:4-9
This article originally appeared here.
