You’ve heard it before:
Eat right. Exercise. Drink more water.
Get enough sleep.
Replace bad habits with good ones.
All good action steps to help you live a healthy life, right?
Why then, do we sometimes see the people who seem to do all these things and more, get sick with chronic illnesses? It seems like it happens out of the blue and it baffles everyone in the aftermath.
While underlying medical issues or genetic predisposition may be the cause, I believe that there is also another dangerous culprit lurking.
Stress.
There is a definite connection between our body and our emotions that affects our state of wellbeing for better or for worse.
It happened to me.
One day recently, I was stopped short when I realized how stressed I was feeling. I was concerned about a loved one’s current health challenges and it had been an unusually busy week. I was attempting to get everything done that was ‘on the list’ as if something bad would happen if I didn’t. Clearly I was tired and off-focus, but it suddenly struck me: “So what if it doesn’t all get done. What bad thing will happen?”
I couldn’t believe the mind-body effect going on. I imagined how so many women, juggling far busier lives that mine were living in this mode 24/7.
It almost made me cry to imagine it.
There was a real physical response to all that stress. I took a breather and went on with my day, keeping an eye on how I was feeling. As the day winded down, I began to feel gratitude for all the things I get to do and the people I love who count on me. I also made a mental note to really try not overburden my calendar and go with the flow.
So how do we deal with stress?
While brief times of stress can actually give your immune system a boost, like having short bursts of intense exercise, long term stress can wreak havoc on your overall health in a big way.
It’s good to have a plan.
Since we often can’t anticipate when our lives will become overburdened with stress, it’s important to develop some practices that will support us when we do. Having an open line of communication with a small circle of friends or family who can offer mutual support is invaluable. Take walks or do some form of regular exercise that you enjoy. Pray. Eat to nourish your body. Know when it’s time to rest and follow through with getting to bed at a decent hour.
Life can throw us curveballs. Your job may be downsized, an aging parent may experience sudden health concerns, a relationship may hit a rough patch. Invest a few moments to decide what actions you need to take to be more prepared for the unexpected.
Tell Me:
What has been your experience with stress? What are some practices you do to help you through stressful times? I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below.
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Blessings,
Sheila
