Hey Grace Family
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
Wow add a time in my life where everything is so sad as much as I tried to pull myself off the edge my eyes filled up with tears and my heart because very heavy I’m acknowledging the fact that I am depressed sleeping all day enjoying my son company but that’s all for him what do I do for myself? How can I pull myself out of this? Is the people that I talk to tired of hearing from me? I realized through prayer this too will pass but right now I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired thank you lady Karen for allowing us to have a open venue to speak on true feelings. Deep breathing deep prayer deep meditation is what I’m focusing on this moment this too will pass tomorrow is another day tomorrow is a better day thank you Lord for allowing this vessel to turn it over to you in this time of sadness and loneliness. amen.
Ss. Leatha, I thank God for how He has lifted you up and built a foundation in you that no man could have built. At times like these we have to encourage ourselves. I am proud of you for reaching out. Also for proclaiming that weeping may endure for a night, but joy…You have diagnosed your problem and prescribed praise, the word and meditation for your healing. You were n the prayer line tonight. Continue to delight yourself in the Lord. I will call to discuss this self diagnosis with you and to pray. Love you!
Thank you, Lady K. This is very helpful. To deal with stress, I use both working out and meditation. There is something meditative about working out. These unprecedented times will not only teach us about solitude but how to listen to our bodies. Working out isn’t just about moving your body; it’s also about listening to yourself. It actually teaches me how to talk to myself and how to encourage myself. Believe it or not, it’s a great time to talk to God too! As a result, it decreases my stress because my focus shifts to something more positive and uplifting. I encourage others to try it. Thanks again for this post! Keep them coming!
Hey First Lady!
Thanks for always looking out for the well being of others.