How to Get Rid of Stress Through the years we have read or heard the warnings from doctors about stress and what it does to damage a person - both physically as well as mentally.
In a previous article "Stop Stress With Nutritional Choices" I mentioned a mental exercise way to relieve stress was with Bible verse memorization or meditation instead of medication.
The idea for meditation there was to take the focus off of myself.
I automatically choose good nutritional choices each day so that part was no problem.
I say it is automatic for me but possibly for others it might not be so easy.
Specifically, the memorization Bible verse for my stress is found in Ph.
4:6 NKJV "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus".
The following couple of verses lists virtuous things to focus on.
Other people may use different verses or different ways but for me that one is a good one.
I know there are situations that I can't do anything about.
I know I am only in control of what goes into my mind and if I can choose to put good stuff in my mind instead of worrying about what I can't control I find myself relaxing and sleeping better.
Best of all after sleeping better, is, it is less expensive than medications and doctor visits.
Long term stress has a way of showing up in various places in your body.
I hear people say all the time they have too many headaches or migraines and some are severe enough to impair normal every day routine functions.
Along with the headaches stress can bring on a variety of other issues from stomach problems, phantom pains and ulcers that medications can't fix or alleviate.
Anxiety and stress can bring on high blood pressure leading to other health problems.
Possibly it could cause you to have chest pains making you wonder if you're having a heart attack.
Asthma and arthritis sufferers may experience worsening symptoms due to the stress.
Those with diabetes may show higher than normal glucose level readings.
Besides the memorization and meditation on certain Bible verses, physical sweaty work or physical exercise is beneficial.
Working outside in the garden or mowing the lawn by hand using a push mower instead of a riding mower may make muscles a bit sore but the long regular activity of exercise is stress relieving.
Muscle aches and pains are a part of aging and exercise but when stress causes it the symptoms are worse making you feel like the weight of the world is literally on your shoulders.
Stress may cause other bodily changes to occur such as changes in bowel habits like constipation, diarrhea or both.
Some may experience nausea, feeling light headed, or off balance symptoms which could mean your body is under stress.
Your immune system is not immune to stress either.
Possibly it could cause you to not be able to fight off colds and simple viruses.
Other Stress Symptoms • Fatigue.
• Insomnia • Mood Swings • Sadness or Depression • Spacing Out • Food Addictions • Alcohol or Drugs (crutch) • Isolation from friends and family • Lack of interest in sex.
The following comment is just an opinion from all that I have read or personally experienced or heard from parents, grandparents, ministers, friends etc.
and that comment is: quit focusing on yourself and help someone in worse shape find relief.
It is easier said than done and there are some who deal with it by enjoying life to the excess nearing hedonism.
I find myself sometimes focusing on a problem I can't do anything about and wonder what the heck did I do to deserve it.
As an example I have a knee problem suffered in the Army in 1972.
It has caused several problems and to make the story short, one day I was getting agitated about it and had vented a little bit about it to a group of people.
The very next day after my rant I saw a double amputee sitting on the pavement in front of a grocery store.
His legs were gone clear to the crotch.
My only thought at that moment was I bet he wished he had my knee problems.
I've had similar instances since then but reality has a way of bringing life into better focus and usually after I've said something dumb about my less severe physical stressful problem.
Clear the turmoil out of your mind, focus on someone else to relieve their stress and find comfort in another activity such as reading, working off the frustrations enjoying the time you have left above ground.
How you find your inner peace is up to your own choice of what to focus on.
We have limited things we can do about politics, world problems etc.
What you put in your mind is better than what someone else might choose to put in there for you.
Today, I'm focusing on you and hope you find a little relief and maybe a new habit in this article.