What
is chronic stress? Any stress in your life that is persistent
and ongoing with no-end in sight. Examples of chronic stress could be drug-addiction
in family, emotionally unstable or mentally ill family, a disabled or sick
child, and any caregiver role that you might be in. Minor stress in comparison
can consist of more manageable types of stress such as car repairs, paying for
your child’s education, or getting through the holidays with your in-laws. The difference
with minor stress and chronic stress is that with minor stress, there is relief
eventually coming. With chronic stress, you don’t know when or if relief will
come. Chronic stress left unchecked can develop into PTSD (post-traumatic
stress disorder).
The first key in recovering from chronic stress is becoming
aware. Becoming aware of how chronic stress has affected your life, and becoming
aware of what action steps that need to be taken quickly before the onset of
negative symptoms.
What are some of the symptoms of chronic
stress:
□ Depression
□ Anxiety
□ Fatigue
□ Overwhelmed
□ Decreased immune functioning
□ Overreaction in small matters
□ Anger, frustration, irritability
□ Women-hormonal imbalance
□ Gastrointestinal issues-bloating, diarrhea, upset
stomach
□ Decrease in libido
□ Back pain
□ Frequent headaches
□ Difficulty concentration and remembering
□ Easily startled
□ Not at ease, feel hyper-guarded
□ Cardiovascular diseases including high blood
pressure
□ Difficulty staying or falling asleep
□ Feel helpless
Stress that is persistent and ongoing has a far
greater negative impact on our overall health. Chronic stress can lead to
atrophy in the hippocampus part of the brain and can later develop into
dementia.
Chronic stress can lead to premature death, stroke, and cancer.
Chronic stress actually kills our brain cells! The American Psychological
Association reported on a study of chronological ages versus physiological ages
related to stress. Their findings were startling-women who cared for disabled
or sick children for years were 10 years older physiologically. We must be
active to eliminate what stress that we can, and to manage the stress that is
chronic in our lives in a healthier manner. Chronically stressed individuals
are literally in a fight for their lives and for survival.
Reflect
and ponder: Do you have any chronic stress in your
life? Or perhaps you have multiple, chronic stressors in your life? Are you
ready to implement changes in your life to save your life?
Counselor’s
Corner:
Self-care is imperative to develop and incorporate
into your life if you have chronic stress. Taking care of yourself is not
selfish, but in fact it could prolong and save your life. You must realize that
because you have dealt with chronic stress, you are now different. You may have
to grieve the loss, the pain, and the trauma that the chronic stress has caused
you. You may not be the same person that you were before the chronic stress was
a part of your life, but like the Apostle Paul who continued in his ministry
even with the “thorn in his side,” I believe we can too! We just need to balance
our lives differently with a lot of self-care.
Self-care tips for chronic stress:
1. Know your limits.
Know when enough is enough for you. You may not be able to go and do like
everyone else, you may need more times of quietness and solitude with the
Father. I have learned quietness is my friend. A lot of noise and big crowds do
not do well for me any longer, but one on one relationships are great for me.
Do what is best for you! If you are not able to attend a funeral because it heightens
your stress levels, don’t go and maybe instead send a card or flowers. If going
to a loud social gathering would cause you more anxiousness, don’t go but
instead do something that you would enjoy.
2. Exercise.
Exercise decreases stress, anxiety and depression. Even walking can have
benefits to your health.
3. Detach emotionally from
people in your life who drain you, use you, manipulate you, or add little to no
value to your life. Detaching in love is something that only God can give you the
strength to do. There may come a time in your life where you need to “cut your
losses” in a relationship. If you have received more pain in a relationship than
it may be time to detach. Detaching does not need to be permanent, just until
God has restored that person to a right relationship with Him and the two of
you can then have a healthy relationship. Detaching emotionally says, “You are
now responsible for you own life and I will no longer fix, rescue, or enable
you in anyway.” Detaching emotionally means your problem is no longer my
problem.
4. Do things for your enjoyment.
Cultivate lots of time for fun, laughter and relaxing.
5. Have alone time with the Father, often!
Learn to soak by just sitting before the Lord and listening to worship music.
You can even soak in a warm tub filled with Epson salt and play worship music
as you do.
6. Simplify your life.
Cut out all non-essentials in your life and cut down the things in your life
that are only Holy Spirit led. You will find that God does not want us running
and jumping here and there, but often He has just being still. Stillness in the
Lord = Peace.
7. Rest when you need to.
Chronic stress has your body working overtime so when you need to pull back and
rest-do so! It is not your job to convince others of your walk. Your true
friends will stick by you and will understand your boundaries and when you need
to take a break.
MEDITATE
ON THESE SCRIPTURES:
Come
to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, take My yoke
upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew
11:28-30
I
have set the Lord always before me. Because He is a t my right hand, I will not
be shaken.
Psalm
16:8
