I was really tired and the bed looked so inviting. I got in and curled up under the duvet and began to drift off to la la land ... ahhhh ... peace. “Mom … Mom ... Mom!” “What?” I asked, irritated. “Mom, can you help me?” asked Evan. My peace abruptly disturbed, I snapped at him. “What? Leave me alone! Go ask your dad!”

Taking care of my physical, emotional and spiritual needs is difficult in a large, busy and often chaotic family atmosphere. If it's not the younger children wanting something, it's the grown children needing my help. I occasionally have to babysit eight grandchildren. My aging mother sometimes requires extra care and attention. As well, I mustn't forget my husband, the social ministry of our church, the staff, the volunteers, the community and divisional headquarters.

The stress was getting to me, so I arranged to see my doctor. “Your body is screaming for rest,” she said. “You've had a lot of health issues this year since your surgery. You're exhausted. You've got adrenal fatigue. It's time to take better care of you.”

“You mean take time off work?” I replied.

“Yes,” she said. “And take time off from all the other stresses, too!”

In taking care of everyone else, I'd neglected to take care of myself. I was running out of breath. It was time to learn how to put on my oxygen mask before I could help anyone else with theirs. I always thought I wouldn't have a problem taking time off, but now I wasn't sure what to do with myself.

What would this change look like? I definitely would have to learn to say “no” more often and set some time and space boundaries. I'd have to schedule time for relaxation and fun, but I couldn't remember what that looked like.

Life has a way of piling up. Our routines become so full that we switch to autopilot. We don't even realize it's happening until we're beginning to fall apart. Summer is often a time when life moves a little more slowly—an ideal time to adopt new habits. Here are some ways to take better care of ourselves:

• Re-establish a consistent daily devotional time. It's often the first thing to go when we're busy. Think Mary, not Martha.
• Schedule some form of exercise. Go for a walk after lunch or dinner. Aerobic exercises increase endorphin levels, thus enhancing feelings of well-being.
• Try to sleep at least eight hours each night. Sleep deprivation lowers our stress tolerance.
• Eat smaller meals more frequently. Too much stress can increase our insulin levels. Eating healthy snacks can even out our blood sugar.

We shouldn't let stress control us. What we really need is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix. God can help us. It may require a lot of thought and prayer. Perhaps we need to take a lesson from Jesus who went off alone to pray (see Mark 1:35). He took time to eat with friends and enjoy life. If we sometimes say “no” to people's demands, are we afraid that we might be judged selfish or as not doing our Christian duty? That is not a healthy way to live. Let's make a commitment this summer to pursue a more healthy and balanced schedule. With God's help we can make the necessary changes.

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Quiet Time With God

Having a daily devotional time is essential for deepening our relationship with God and growing in Christlikeness.
• Choose a time of the day and a regular place when you can focus on God undisturbed
• Aim for 30 minutes, though 10 is better than nothing
• Select a contemporary Bible translation that best speaks to your mind and heart
• Read the Bible reflectively and be open to God's leading and direction
• Journal your fresh, God-given insights and speak naturally and honestly to God
• Commit to obeying what
God has revealed through his Word

Major Kathie Chiu is the Corps Officer and Executive Director of The Caring Place Ministries, Mountain View Community Church, Maple Ridge, B.C.