A Reluctant Spirit: A Book by Kathleen Berry

7 Tips to Disarm Stress

Freedom concept. The top dove leaves the broken chain from the prisoner's arm.

Photo by Kitsanaphong Burarat courtesy of Vecteezy.com

Stress occurs when we dwell on the “what-ifs” of a difficult situation, sinking us into worry and fear. For many of us it’s an automatic response, one we may not recognize until it starts hurting our wellbeing. The good news is we can break this cycle through radically changing our outlook.

Why we don’t want to stay stuck in stress
Let’s not buck up and ride through that stress tidal wave and its subsequent flood. It’s toxic. Living in sustained stress puts us at risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity. It causes headaches, anxiety, insomnia and stomach problems. It increases our blood pressure, makes us angry and weakens our immune system, leaving us more vulnerable to viruses and disease.

Spiritually, stress keeps us stuck in our mind, taking us out of our heart-center and faith. We forget that everything happens for a reason and that the Most Loving always has our backs. Stress isolates us, making us feel powerless. Part of this comes from our society’s idea that everything that happens is either good or bad. Seldom, if ever, is anything that clear cut.

Honestly, it’s so danged hard to stop living in stress. If you find yourself still struggling to let it go (like I am), ask yourself: “How is stress improving my situation? Is it helping me to think clearly? Is it resolving any issues?”

Everything stress does to your mental, emotional and physical health makes your situation HARDER to resolve.

Break stress’ grip on you.

Remember that God and your spiritual team stand ready to help. They are your safety net. Ask for divine assistance and have faith that it’ll be given to you, although it may not manifest in the way you expect.

Know that you are not being punished. And that your trials are not an indication that you aren’t enough. You are. Trials happen in every life.

Once you get through, acknowledge how that experience grew you. How love and faith got you through the darkness, how relationships were strengthened and how you learned that you can get through more than you ever imagined. Pat yourself on the back.

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