SMILING IN AND AT YOUR STRESS

The time to relax is when you dont have time for it (Sydney J.H). You think is easy to
smile? Then smile now and always. Stress is a fact of everyday life (James 1:2-4). The trouble is
that our modern life is so full of frustrations, deadlines and demands that many of us dont even
know or realize how stressed we are. However, some people feel that they have very little
resources or skills to deal with the high levels of stress they are experiencing. Hence, it gets
overwhelming and makes them giddy; damaging moods and relationships, and leads to a host of
serious mental and physical health problems (Hosea 4:6). Recognizing the sources, symptoms
and effects of stress as early as possible is crucial to coping with it and improving the quality of
your life.
STRESS: What it is and How come?
Although we all talk about stress, its often isnt clear what is really about. Many
consider stress to be something that happens to them, an event such as injury or a job loss while
others think is the bodys way of responding to any kind of demand or threat (e.g. heart
pounding, anxiety). These are not the most important factors. Our thoughts about situations in
which we find ourselves are the critical factors. Not all situations that are labeled stressful are
negative. In small quantities, stress is good; it can motivate you and help you become more
productive (i.e. pressure). However when the pressure becomes excessive or otherwise
unmanageable, it leads to harmful stress.
Stress stimulates the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol when you feel
threatened; quickens the heart rate, tightens the muscles, raises blood pressure, quickens breath,
accelerates metabolism, sharpens the senses, speeds up reaction time, enhances focus and
generally rouses the body for emergency action. Here the body prepares for Fight or flee (i.e.
mobilized) from danger or gets immobilized (freezes) making you lose consciousness, enabling
you to survive high levels of physical pain.
TYPES AND EFFECTS
Stress varies in intensity and duration. Acute stress (intense but short term), can rapidly
exhaust you, even to the states of shock. Chronic stress (long term), is often ignored until
physical symptoms appear. This could be dangerous. It can shut down your immune system,
upset your digestive and reproductive systems, increase risk of heart attack and stroke, speeds up
your aging process, cause weight and sleeping problems, pains of any sort, and leave you
vulnerable to many health problems to mention but a few.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress
overload. These symptoms include:

 Cognitive: memory problems, thinking only the negative, poor judgment, low
concentration, and constant worrying.
Emotional: Moodiness, irritability or anger, sense of loneliness and isolation,
anxiety ,agitation and general unhappiness (Psa 119:143, luke 21:34)
Physical: Aches and pains, chest pain, nausea or dizziness, loss of sex drive,
diarrhea or constipation etc.
Behavioral: Sleeping too little or too much, procrastination, eating more or less,
using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to relax, nail biting etc.
WHAT LEADS TO STRESS?
Situations and pressures that are considered stress provoking are known as stressors.
These sources could be external or internal. Stressors are not always limited to
situations where external situations (e.g. life change, work or school, financial
problems, and relationship difficulties) are creating a problem. Internal events such as
feelings of fear, repetitive thoughts, worrying about future events and habitual
behavior can also cause negative stress.
IMPROVING YOUR ABILITY TO REDUCE OR HANDLE STRESS
Health they say is the greatest wealth. As health is not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity but a positive state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
(WHO, 1986), your ability to take charge of your health rather than leaving it totally
in anothers hands other than God (Psa 55:22, Matt 11:28-30) determines the wealth
of your lifespan. You have much more control over stress than you may think. Some
of the many healthier ways to cope with stress includes:
Engage your senses: Discover the sensory inputs that work for youe.g
listening to an uplifting song, flashing back to your best moments etc.
Set aside rest/relaxation time: Techniques such as good meditation that
cultivates mindfulness, yoga, deep breathing, gentle massage, relaxing facial
muscles etc. helps to activate your bodys relaxation response.
Eat a healthy diet: it isnt about strict adherence to balanced dietary
limitations. Find out an eating plan that aids you not only to relief stress but
boosts your energy, improves your outlook and stabilizes your mood.
Flexibility: Accept change, disappointment and even failure with genuine
composure. Keep moving because LIFE GOES ON. The clock keeps ticking.
Increase your support network: Connect to others, do not overlook your
friends and family; they can be your most valuable allies (although they can
be your extreme stressors), share your worries, inconveniences and insecurity
with others if any.
Regular exercises could also be helpful in enduring stress.

Conclusively, you live as your own doctor. The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to
choose one thought over another (William James). It is not a daily increase, but a daily
decrease. Hack away at the inessentials (Bruce Lee). For those who hope on the Lord shall
renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary; they
will walk and not faint. (Isa 40:31).

By Bubyx
Health facilitator
Buby4u4ever@yahoo.com