Got stress?
Worry and pressure rage around us at epidemic levels. The American Psychological Association reports, “More than one-third of adults (34 percent) report that their stress increased over the past year. Only 16 percent report decreased stress in the past year. Worse yet, the American Heart Association and Center for Disease Control link this emotional plague to a host of health risks. Research shows stress leads to digestive disorders, weight gain, and heart disease and more. Left untended, chronic tension can lead to a stroke. Oncologist Lorenzo Cohen warns “stress makes your body more hospitable to cancer.”
Yet, this is now the American norm. [bctt tweet=”We wear the signs on our bodies so commonly, one might assume stress is the new black. ” username=”@tyeagerwrites”]
Facing such fearsome odds, how can we survive?
While we cannot avoid stress altogether, there are a few strategies which can help us manage and endure the inevitable pressure.
- Hold tightly onto grace (for others and yourself).
- Laugh.
- Include healthy distractions. Focus on heavenly positives by changing your venue and view. Philippians 4:6-8
- Ask for support and prayer. We’re not meant to cope with life alone. [bctt tweet=”We’re not meant to cope with life alone.” username=”@tyeagerwrites”]
- Breathe.
- Drink to nourish your mind. Avoid depressants and dehydration.
- Limit the octane levels. Yeah, I know how important coffee is for life quality. But, keep the amounts within reason or you’ll be tempted to lose yours.
- Stretch. Exercise. Stretch.
- Sleep.
- Discharge your tension through art, journaling, weeding the garden–not through verbal missile-launching at loved ones.
- Pray. Pray. Pray.
I have a long list of stress management tips which I used to offer my counseling clients. If you’d like a copy, just send me your email and let me know you’d like to be an inside member and get the full list.
I look forward to hearing from you, and wish you a peaceful week.
Be Encouraged,
Tina
Statistics and information regarding the stress epidemic can be found on the following sites:
Global Organization for Stress
American Psychological Association