1 Peter 5:6-7
The uncertain times we live in can cause us to experience the effects of stress and stress-related illnesses or complications. Stress is the wear and tear our bodies experience due to the changes that occur as a part of living. Whether the changes are global, work/ministry-related or personal, our bodies respond physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We can reduce the wear and tear on our bodies by recognizing your body's response to stress and employing stress management techniques to ward off its harmful and long-term effects. Stress management is a personal process to discover the techniques that work best for you. Here are a few proven strategies to help settle our mind, change our attitude, quiet our spirit, and calm our body’s response to stress:
Stop and Listen!
In times of stress, one natural response is the keep going and feverishly work ourselves into a panic, therefore increasing the stress response. Instead, try the opposite. When we feel pulled in many directions, stop everything. Find a quiet place without TV, people, or activity. Do nothing for at least five minutes. Take this time to allow your mind and heart to open to the Holy Spirit. Remember when Elijah was stressed in 1 Kings 19? God told Elijah to go to the mountain and He would pass by. Elijah did not hear the voice of the Lord in the wind, earthquake, or fire but in a still whisper. Elijah had to be still and quiet to hear from God.
Breathe Deeply
Another common response to stressful times is shallow breathing. When we do not breathe deeply we deprive the body of adequate oxygen to think clearly and function properly. Instead of shallow breathing, actively take five to six long, full deep breaths. Inhale through your nose for a slow count to five and exhale through your mouth for a slow count of five. When we breathe deeply our bodies will respond with a lower blood pressure, slower heart rate, and reduced tension in muscles, therefore reducing the pressure we feel from a tense situation.
Find the Positive
When life gets out of hand, another typical response is to think of the worst. Negative thinking leads to a higher stress level. When faced with stressful events, immediately begin to speak the positive about the situation. Example: You are rear-ended by another car. The damage is relatively minor. Positives in this situation may be no one was seriously hurt, the damage is repairable, and you have insurance to cover the cost of repairs. When we have challenges finding the positive in a situation, we need to ask God to change our outlook so we can see things more clearly through His eyes.
Laugh
Proverbs 17:22a says, A cheerful heart is good medicine. Laughter reduces stress by releasing endorphins into our bodies that lower our blood pressure, release tight muscles, increase our oxygen intake, stimulate our brain, and change our emotional outlook and thinking. Take a "laugh break" when things are stressful. Keep comic strips, funny photographs of family or friends, comedy movies, a funny book, or a video on hand to use during your laugh break. Laughter therapy is gaining in popularity for treating everything from stress to cancer.
Get Out and Move
During stressful times our bodies produces hormones that are ready to help us protect ourselves or get away from a "predator". This is called the "fight or flight" response. When these hormones are not used by our bodies to fight or flee, they hang around, keeping our heart rate elevated, muscles tight, blood pressure up, and cholesterol levels high. Exercise safely uses these hormones and limits the damage they can cause to our bodies. When stress is at its peak, get out and move. Walk around the neighborhood. Go on a run through a park. Hit the beach and go surfing for a few hours. Play an active sport like basketball or tennis. Finding a physical activity will help you manage the harmful effects of stress.
No comments:
Post a Comment