Bears go more dormant during the winter months because their regular food supply is not readily available during that time of year. They do this to survive. Although my nickname is “Bear”, I too have found it vitally important to take a break in order to survive and thrive. I am often asked the question “How to you deal with all the things and stressful situations in your work?” I am thankful for the opportunity that God has allowed me to “Be there” when people are hurting or in a crisis. My schedule is often unpredictable and can change in a instant. I’m not able to take several months off like a real bear but I would like to share with you some things I have found to be very helpful to keep in mind when you are in the  middle of stressful times.We all need time to rest. Dr. Archibald Hart did an important study and wrote a book on of the role of adrenalin and stress. One of the big findings that became evident is that if you are constantly going, going ,non stop for an extended period of time; that when you stop it will take awhile for your body to physically replenish the adrenalin necessary for good health. That is why, when you eventually stop and take a day off you may feel down, tired and emotionally drained; accompanied with maybe even a headache.

We all need time to renew and restore our mind, body, and soul. Even Jesus told his disciples after a very busy time in their ministry together “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” ( Mark 6:31). I like what Charles Swindoll said about this, “Renewal and restoration are not luxuries, they are essentials. Being alone and resting for a while is not selfish; it is Christ like. It’s not carnal, it’s spiritual.”

We all need time to recalibrate. My good friend, Glenn Metts mentioned this term while we were hiking in the mountains, We were in awe of the majestic mountains with clear skies.We could see something breathtaking everywhere we turned that day. It’s good to get away for a few hours or a day to change your surroundings and to help you put things in proper perspective. Wayne Corderio is right…”Sometimes how we view our problems oftentimes is the problem.” It is amazing how taking a break can allow us to clarify that in our thinking and recalibrate us back in the right direction for our lives.

Take mini-breaks when you can during a busy day. Take a short walk. Change up your routine a little, maybe drive a different route to work or home. Listen to relaxing music. Park your car in the parking lot further away so that you can walk more. Cut out caffeine late in the day. Go to a different restaurant. Just a short break can go a long way to making your busy day less stressful. These are just some things that this old bear has learned that you can do to take a break even when you don’t have a lot of time to hibernate.