Stress. Just hearing the word might make you cringe, but in reality stress is both good and bad. We need healthy doses of stress in our lives to motivate us to complete tasks or achieve goals. It is what makes us successful and determined. On the other hand, large amounts of stress can adversely affect our health, emotional well-being, and spiritual state. When we experience stress, our body enters the “flight/fight/freeze” mode which pumps our body full of adrenaline, putting us on high alert. This heightened state becomes the impetus for change and accomplishment, but when this hyper aroused state becomes the norm, a person’s well-being begins to deteriorate. We can experience negative stress from a myriad of things such as work responsibilities, life transitions, relationship conflict, traumatic life events, abuse of any kind, financial difficulties, health issues, lack of meaningful relationships, or unrealistic expectations. Stress can leave us feeling worried, anxious, sad, distracted, irritable, or angry and affect our eating and sleeping patterns. We may gain or lose weight, see a spike in our blood pressure, feel sick to our stomach or have frequent headaches. Increased levels of negative stress can cause even more alarming things such as panic attacks, chest pain, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Stressed Out?
Stress management essentially comes down to one thing: boundaries. We are stressed because we have forgotten how to say no. We have crammed our schedules full of “good” things that leave us living our lives at breakneck speed. We feel compelled to meet all the needs around us at the expense of taking care of ourselves. We are harried and overworked, leaving us an easy target for the grip of stress and it’s awful effects. So what can you do? First, start by simplifying your schedule and reducing your responsibilities. Say no to things you do out of mere obligation. Stop letting your boss or other people take advantage of you. Determine to have a day or moments in your schedule where you do absolutely nothing. Second, actively engage in self-care. Go see your family doctor to rule out any underlying physical conditions. Eat right, drink more water, and exercise regularly. Pray or meditate to calm your mind. Invest in relationships. Take time for hobbies and things you enjoy. Choose to control and release your stress-fueled thoughts instead of letting them take over your life. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your response to whatever life hands you. Lastly, contact a professional counselor if you are experiencing more severe symptoms. Sometimes all it takes is a caring and discerning presence to lead us to healing.
