Stress Relief

By Nic Fraraccio

I want to begin by offering my thoughts and prayers to Austin Corn, one of my best friends I mentioned in my previous column. Keep your head held high, and I look forward to seeing you soon brother. 

I thought about publishing this column right before dead week. However, this topic has pricked my heart in recent days.

Here is a question for you: What is your main source of stress relief? It could be reading, singing or playing video games — everyone has a form of stress relief that they use. 

Some of you might be trying to guess mine right now. Let me guess, you probably think my answer is watching sports. Are you kidding me? I watch the Tampa Bay Rays and Chelsea Football Club daily. Unfortunately, both teams are struggling to play well at the moment.

However, my form of stress relief does involve the world’s game. After high school, I would ride my bike down to the local soccer field. Most of the time, I would go kick the ball around by myself. 

I never brought a routine or schema to the pitch when I was stressed out. It was just myself, the ball and a goal with a ripped net. 

I took free kicks and penalties, juggled the ball or practiced dribbling. It changed almost every single time I visited the field. 

Unfortunately, your form of stress relief does not always help during times of trouble. I did not feel the same when I went to play soccer in 2020. Even if I was doing well, I felt numb when I spent time playing the sport I love. 

I do not think anyone ruined it for me; I just was not confident in myself at the time. We all find ourselves in this situation at some point in our lives. Guess what? Even if your source of peace is not working, it will always be well with your soul. 

I find joy in Matthew 11:28-30 when I am filled with anxiety:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Thankfully, I have found peace in the game again. I love supporting my friends on the Harding soccer teams. (By the way, the women’s team plays at home tomorrow at 11 a.m. Go out and support the Lady Bisons at the Stephens Soccer Complex.) 

I know some people who are currently stressed about things that normally bring them joy or relaxation. If you are stuck in a rut, I have some simple, yet powerful advice for you. 

As the semester progresses, take your burdens to God and pray for peace. Prayer is the most powerful form of stress relief. Also, do not let someone ruin your goals and passions. I am not saying that it is easy — I am reminding you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep on striving to get better in whatever you do. 

I will leave you with a song from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel. The title, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” is a meaningful message for those who are feeling stressed or alone. If you are a fan of Liverpool Football Club, this song is very familiar to you. Here are some of the lyrics:

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don’t be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm

There’s a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

For your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you’ll never walk alone.

I hope you have a great day. Be blessed, and it is well.