“Barking dogs! Squealing children! Clutter and mess everywhere! Aww!” moaned Jill looking around. “I’ve got so much to do! The holiday bills have piled up! I’m, STRESSED!”
Do any of those sound familiar? Let’s face it. We all get stressed from time to time. Would you like to de-stress? In God’s love for us, He designed our bodies to ignite feel good hormones to combat our stress. Then He gave us the ultimate stress buster! So, get ready to de-stress!
STRESS BUSTER TIPS!
STAY HYDRATED!
Are you feeling sluggish and empty headed? Then fill up! Since our brains are about 85% water, staying hydrated prevents that little stress hormone, cortisol, from draining our energy, clouding our thoughts and stressing us out.1
Want to really bust up that stress?
Don’t forget to stay spiritually hydrated with the water Jesus gives!
“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him
will never thirst.
But the water that I shall give him
will become in him a fountain of water
springing up into everlasting life.”
John 4:14
SNOOZE!
A well-rested body is a less stressed one. So, take a nap!
Are you having difficulty sleeping? Sometimes those pesky things on our “to do” list keep us awake. Don’t worry, give them to the Lord. He is available 24/7 to to take them off our hands!
Throw all your anxieties upon Him,
because He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 CJB
LAUGH!
Have a good laugh! It relaxes muscles, stimulates circulation, releases good hormones and relieves stress! It makes us smile. When smiling our facial contractions release the good hormone, dopamine. So, pasting on a smile, even a fake one, will increase our happiness. 2
“One smile can generate the same brain stimulation
as 2,000 bars of chocolate
or receiving $25,000.” 3
When stressed reach for God’s prescription; laugh, smile and be merry!
It’s contagious, so spread the joy!
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
Proverbs 17:22a.
BE THANKFUL!
When our socks don’t match, be thankful that our feet are warm. “Feelings of gratitude boost immunity, lower blood pressure, and speed healing.”4 It causes the oxytocin hormone to turn off our stress response. It’s healthy!
Isn’t it amazing that our Lord designed thankfulness to have benefits?
Giving thanks always for all things
to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:30
MORE DE-STRESSORS!
HUG!
Give a hug! Take a hug!
“A 10-second hug helps the body fight infections, eases depression, and lessens tiredness.” 5
Those feel-good hormones, oxytocin and serotonin, increase helping us sleep and even lead to reduced signs of aging.6 Are you feeling younger yet?
MOVE!
Take a walk, exercise, dance or just move that body! It decreases anxiety and increases feel good hormones.
MUSIC!
Music sooths the savage beast or in our case, our stress levels. Calming music relaxes us while positive music lifts our spirits. So, crank it up! For extra benefits sing along! It stimulates the immune system.7
ULTIMATE STRESS BUSTER!
What famous person said,
“Therefore, my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
my heart within me is distressed.”
That’s a quote from King David in Psalm 143:4. He along with other prominent Bible figures experienced stress just like us.
Look at David in 1 Samuel 16 -31 and 2 Samuel. Practically his whole life was rifled with stress! David confronted a giant, went to war, experienced hunger, ran for his life, sinned, lost a child, was homeless, had a son plot to overthrow him and on and on.
How did David handle the stress?
In faith, David focused on the ultimate stress buster;
the Lord.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all Your works
and consider what Your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to You;
I thirst for You like a parched land.
Psalm 143:5-6 NIV
Through Him we are more than victorious and find peace.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You,
Isaiah 26:3
SO, LET’S LAUGH, HYDRATE, SING!
IN FAITH TURN TO THE LORD
AND
BUST UP THAT STRESS!
REFLECTION
Do you want to de-stress?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Isaiah 26:3 and say it aloud, keep me focused on You. When stressful situations arise, remind me of the physical and spiritual blessings you have given us to de-stress; especially Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH,
TURN TO THE ULTIMATE STRESS BUSTER;
JESUS
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1. brainscape.com
2. psychologytoday.com
3. Inspiremore.com/ron-gutman
4. drserenagoldstein.com
5. Medicinenet.com
6. Mindbodygreen.com
7. healthline.com
Photo cat, jdblack
Photo playing, rudyanderson
Photo dancing, johnmoeses
