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Session 4 – Hey Grace Family!

Our assembly will be stronger: individually and as a group after COVID19. Job 23:10 (AMP) states “But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it], when He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold, [pure and luminous]”.

We all feel stressed from time to time. What is Stress? How does it affect your general health? What can we do to manage stress?

Stress is how the brain and body respond to demands of change, fear, surprise (good or bad). Some of us can learn to recover from stress more effectively or more quickly than others. Read on and become one of those people who learns to manage their stress!

What does it feel like? Different for everyone and depends on the severity of the change. Physically? Anywhere from stress caused by pressure from test taking to trauma of war or assault. Responses naturally go from quickened heartbeat to depression or other illness, to lack of sleep. Stress is caused by something happening on the outside, usually, but your physical response is always related to the type and severity of the situation. The body is signaled to “fight or flight”: face the threat or move out of the way! Pulse may quicken, breathing gets heavier, energy production is increased all of a sudden. A good thing if you need to move a car or pass a test; all aimed at survival. Yes, when you are born, this is a safety mechanism put into your wiring. How to deal with “situations we do not see coming”.

Long-term stress can be hard on your general wellness. Over time, the continued demand on your emergency system depletes your reserves and may cause: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety.

Take practical steps to manage stress:

1:  Know what your body does when stressed. How do you feel? Sleep a lot, not sleeping, eating, not eating, shopping to name a few. Your first coping strategy is to call it out. Own your situation.

2:  Talk with someone. A good friend, therapist, PC, Health/Life Coach. In COVID19 time most providers are using Zoom, face-time and other technology to help clients remotely. If you need additional information, call the church. We have several professionals in the Mental Health field who can listen and help; just, please reach out to someone.

3:  Some deal with stress by doing physical exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, even more of us use Prayer as a de-stressor, because we know “it changes things”. Not just situations, but us in the situation. Stay connected with friends, family and God through this time.

4:  Handle your business, to put it bluntly. Start putting things in order. Start looking for another job or figure out your strategy for recovery or adjustment. You can do it! Keep notes on your accomplishments daily and do not forget to Thank God for them!! You can do it!!

I cannot begin to say how important it is for you to deal with stress in “real time”. Prevent your body from developing real health issues as a result. In the midst of it, think of your basic needs. Food, sleep, faith, and the knowledge that tomorrow is another day. You will come forth as pure gold!

We will talk about emotional eating later this week.

Lady Karen BA, MA, CAGS, Psychology;
Graduate of Institute of Integrative Nutrition; Ordained Minister, PEC