Stress in and of itself is not a bad thing. In dangerous situations stress gives us the adrenaline boost we need to escape harm. Feeling stress on a daily basis can have harmful effects on our bodies.
The effects of stress are so important to understand that there is an entire website about the topic. It’s a big deal. Unrestrained stress can wreak havoc on our minds and bodies.
Stress can cause an exhaustive and concerning list of issues. Below are just a few.
Effects of stress
- Neck and back pain
- Dizziness
- Frequent colds and infections
- Heartburn, stomach pain and nausea
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Chest pains, rapid pulse and palpitations
- Depression
- Insomnia
Again, this is just partial list. There are so many additional effects of stress and some can be very dangerous and destructive.
I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to experience these effects if I don’t have to. I know we can’t necessarily control stress. Sometimes it is just a part of life. However, it helps when I’m aware of it and I can control how I respond to it. We can always focus on ways to reduce it. Here are my top 7 ways of reducing stress in my life.
7 ways to reduce stress
- Exercise – One of the most important things you can do for your body is exercise. It helps your mind, your body and it greatly reduces stress and it’s negative effects. If you can get outside and exercise – even better! The sunshine and the vitamin D are excellent mood boosters.
- Eat healthy – This is another obvious one for overall health, but getting the right nutrition has a tremendous affect on your mind and body and helps you to fight off stress and it’s effects. Processed foods and sugar can actually aggravate our bodies and promote the production of stress hormones.
- Enjoy nature – Take a walk, watch the sunset or go to the beach. Getting outside and enjoying God’s creations can do wonders for your mood. It can also put things into perspective. I love watching sunsets – they are so calming to me. Make a point this week to get outside and enjoy some part of nature and see how it makes you feel.
- Enjoy a hobby – If you don’t have a hobby now may be the time to develop one. Spending some time everyday or even once a week doing something you love is so important. It gives your mind a break as you focus on something you love to do. I love reading, going for walks outside, cooking and spending time with my family. Each of these can cause me to calm down, relax and focus on what matters most.
- Take a vacation – Taking a break from work and other responsibilities is essential in staying stress free. We all need a vacation every now and then. It doesn’t have to be far away or expensive. If you have had trips cancelled this year, like we have – schedule a staycation or drive somewhere an hour or two outside of town and stay the weekend. Even a little break will help.
- Practice Relaxation Techniques – Find ways to relax that work for you and practice them anytime you are feeling a little overwhelmed or anxious (before those emotions take over). I love to go for a walk outside by myself, I also love using one of the calming apps I wrote about in this blog post. You may enjoy long bubble bath or having coffee with a friend. You could try yoga and focus on your breathing. Getting a massage is a luxury but one that is well worth the money in my opinion. A massage can definitely melt away the worries.
- Spend time in the Bible and pray – I saved the best for last. This is my #1 go to when I feel stressed. I make time to read God’s word, meditate on it and pray. I pray for God’s peace, His grace and His guidance. Journaling and writing down what is causing you stress and anxiety is also extremely helpful. You can then take all of your specific issues to God for His help and His provision. This is thee only way I truly survive stress. Everything else on this list is very helpful and important but this is one you can always count on.
I hope this list is helpful to you. A lot of it is pretty self explanatory and may not be new news to you. However, I find it helpful to stop every once in awhile to check in with myself. To see how I’m feeling and if stress has been creeping in unnoticed. Sometimes life gets busy and we don’t notice the stress building and taking a toll on our minds and bodies.
It’s important to be aware of stress and to quickly turn to the list above or your own list to get back on track and to save yourself from the harmful effects of stress overload. Reducing stress is one important way to create more peace in your life!