All Stressed Out and Ready to Blow

Written by Betty L. Rosian

Where's all that leisure time we were promised when technology made its way into our homes and offices? Aren't we supposed to be basking on sunny beaches and propping our feet up more often? Aren't we supposed to be relaxing and enjoying life more?

 The truth is that the number of people who are happy today is lower than ever before. For all of our automatic machines and conveniences, we've never been busier and never had more demands on us. Instead of enjoying lives of leisure, we're frazzled by stress.

What Is Stress?

Stress – that subtle pressure robs us of our well being and sometimes our health. We have too much to do and too little time to do it. Too many people demand too much from us. All of us are affected at one time or another by stress. We may suspect that some people are immune, but they have merely learned how to handle the stress in their lives. We all need to learn to control stress.

Stress is more than a state of mind; it also causes bodily changes. The brain is affected. So is the gastrointestinal tract. The skin undergoes changes. Sleep may be disturbed. The immune system weakens. Even our spiritual life suffers. Stress is not something to brush away lightly.

What's Stressing You?

Common sources of stress may include being pushed too hard to do tasks and coping with our own illness or the illnesses of people in our care. Often, we attribute our stress to dealing with difficult and argumentative people. But the fact is, any change in life can be a source of stress, and life is indeed made up of one change after another.

But we can't put all the blame for stress on outside forces. We can't always control our circumstances, but we can control how we react to them. Change may be external, but stress is an internal voice. If we had a boss who drove us as hard as we drive ourselves, we'd probably look for another job. If we had a friend who berated us the way our little internal voice does, we'd find a new friend. Isn't it about time to begin sending kinder messages to ourselves? We need to find a way to balance our lives so stress doesn't drag us down.

Did you ever try to drown your troubles in a chocolate bar? Gain a burst of energy from a cup of coffee? Forget it all and go shopping? In a strange paradox, did you ever bury yourself deeper in the very work that's consuming you and become a workaholic? Fortunately, there are better ways to cope.

Steps to Coping

The first step to coping with stress is to assess your life pattern and determine whether or not you've taken on too heavy a load with meetings, clubs, charities, and commitments. Even youngsters are overloaded these days with sports, music lessons, clubs, and school work. It may be time to start saying no. If doing too many virtuous things is hurting you or your family, cut back where you can and learn to delegate. One of the more difficult concepts for many people to grasp is that they cannot maintain every aspect of life alone. Don't be afraid to ask for help or to allow others to complete a task for you.

Also consider your dietary habits. Do you doubt nutrition can make much of a difference? Do you feel irritable or light-headed when you've skipped a meal? Do you feel bloated or tired when you've eaten too heavy a meal? We are best able to function when blood sugar remains constant. That candy bar, a simple carbohydrate, feels so good at the moment, as it pumps sugar quickly into the blood stream. That, in turn, stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, which causes the sugar level to drop afterward.

You may recall experiencing this feeling when a meal has been unusually late. It makes more sense to take in complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grain breads, pasta, or fruit. These release sugar gradually into the bloodstream and keep body chemistry on level ground. Snack on cheese, peanut butter and crackers, or an apple instead of candy or cookies. And don't overlook veggies at mealtimes or as snacks. Think of the dinner plate as a work of art. Go for a good color mix.

Eating a balanced diet is good for your health, which improves your ability to cope. Make a habit of eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, less meat, and fewer sweets. Drink plenty of water. By the time you're thirsty, dehydration has already begun and is a real energy drainer.

Some people turn to alcohol or tobacco when they're stressed because they experience a momentary reprieve. But they pay for that later in damage to the body's cells. Our bodies are God's vessels. That alone should be the biggest motivator to do our best in caring for ourselves. A good question to ask is, "Can God be glorified in this?"

Work Out Your Stress

Exercise is another great way to reduce stress in your life. Many people recoil at the thought, but exercise can be fun. Those who like water sports would probably enjoy a water aerobics class. Malls often open early in the morning to accommodate walkers. Some even sponsor walking clubs. You can get a workout in safe, comfortable surroundings regardless of the weather! Or, if you don't live near a mall, you may want to take a late- afternoon stroll around your own neighborhood with a friend or with your spouse.

Working the muscles strengthens bones. The deep breathing that a good workout induces strengthens the cardiovascular system and pumps more oxygenated blood into the brain.

Buying an exercise machine may be your preference, whether brand new or "like new" from a previous owner, which is usually much cheaper. Give yourself a trial period on a machine to see if it works for you. Some people are disciplined enough to work out in solitude, but you may want to find a buddy to work out with you. It will boost your enjoyment and help keep you on track.

Not only is exercise physically valuable, it also benefits the mind. It's hard to dwell on a problem when you're running around a track or counting push ups. That small mental diversion helps to invite a fresh outlook. You'll feel rejuvenated and ready for the day after your physical activity.

In addition to diet and exercise, many activities help reduce stress. Read a book or a magazine you enjoy. Spend an afternoon watching an old movie. Begin a new hobby or start a craft project. Cultivate deeper relationships with friends and family. Look for unique greeting cards to send to those you haven't contacted for a while. Turn your thoughts to God through prayer and praise. Write down thoughts He gives you to share and encourage others. When our focus is solely on Him, stress melts away.

And remember, stress is not necessarily negative. Just think how little would get done were it not for deadlines! What's really important is how you handle it.

Betty L. Rosian is a freelance writer from Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

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