At Barksdale Missions, we believe that healing starts with intentional, sustainable care—body, mind, and spirit. Stress may be part of life, but it doesn’t have to rule your day. Whether you’re navigating parenthood, managing mental health, or simply trying to feel more grounded, these 52 gentle strategies are here to help.
You don’t have to do them all—just begin with one. Breathe. And come back to yourself.
Morning Rhythms That Support Peace
- Wake up 15 minutes earlier—a little buffer can change your whole morning.
- Prepare the night before—lay out clothes, pack snacks, set intentions.
- Write things down. Free your mind from the burden of remembering everything.
- Live honestly. Don’t commit to things that don’t align with your truth.
- Make backup plans—extra keys, extra diapers, extra grace.
Plan Ahead to Protect Your Energy
- Practice maintenance. Tend your relationships and your space regularly.
- Limit caffeine if it increases anxiety or disrupts your sleep.
- Procrastination adds pressure. Gentle action today creates ease tomorrow.
- Stock your home intentionally—snacks, pantry staples, gas in the tank.
- Fix what’s broken. You deserve tools that serve you.
Create Spaciousness in Daily Life
- Leave early. Rushing creates tension; peace loves margin.
- Bring a book or podcast for those inevitable waits.
- Make contingency plans. It’s not pessimism—it’s self-respect.
- Loosen perfectionism. The laundry can wait. You are still worthy.
- Name your blessings. Even in chaos, beauty coexists.
Boundaries as Self-Compassion
- Ask for clarity. You deserve to understand what’s expected of you.
- Say no when you need to. Rest is resistance and recovery.
- Unplug. Silence can be sacred.
- Shift “needs” to preferences. Peace comes when we release attachment.
- Simplify often. Less noise. More presence.
Grounding in Quiet and Connection
- Spend time with non-worriers. Energy is contagious.
- Take a calming bath or shower. Let the water carry it all away.
- Use earplugs to find quiet in a noisy world.
- Honor your sleep. It is not a luxury—it’s essential care.
- Declutter. A peaceful space supports a peaceful mind.
Breath, Body, and Mindfulness
- Check in with your breath. Let your body guide you to calm.
- Journal your thoughts. Words bring clarity.
- Try calming breathwork. Inhale for 8, exhale for 16. Repeat.
- Visualize success. Your brain doesn’t know the difference—practice peace.
- Change your environment. A different room, a step outside, a walk.
Align Life with Your Values
- Stretch often. Movement breaks up stuck energy.
- Choose environments that feel aligned with your nervous system.
- Live one day at a time. This moment matters most.
- Make joy a daily priority.
- Infuse love into everything you do—especially the ordinary moments.
Regulate Through Connection
- Talk it out. Safe people help you feel seen and soothed.
- Offer kindness. Helping others helps us feel grounded.
- Lead with love. Focus on understanding rather than being understood.
- Tend your appearance if it feels good to do so.
- Avoid overscheduling. Leave time for stillness and breath.
Permission to Be Imperfect
- Practice flexibility. You don’t have to do it all—or do it perfectly.
- Shift your self-talk. You are not too old, too tired, or too late.
- Shift your weekend pace. Balance rest and renewal.
- Focus on today. Trust that tomorrow will meet you when it comes.
- Do one thing at a time. Presence is healing.
Space for Stillness and Strength
- Create time for solitude. Quiet is not emptiness—it’s restoration.
- Do the hard thing early. Then exhale and move forward.
- Delegate. You are not meant to carry it all alone.
- Take your lunch break. Nourishment is non-negotiable.
- Count to 1,000. Pause before reacting when emotions run high.
Embrace Grace Over Grit
- Forgive freely. You can choose peace even without closure.
- Choose optimism. Most people are doing the best they can—including you.
Stress doesn’t disappear overnight—but your relationship with it can shift. Let these 52 tools be a reminder: You are allowed to slow down. You are worthy of calm. You are doing better than you think.
Which one speaks to you today? Start there.
