“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” ― Victor Hugo
Stress and Anxiety
Today’s Thought: Walk Away from the Drama
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I sleep well. I get my seven to eight hours each night. I dream a lot. Most dreams I don’t recall. I rarely have a dream where I wake up and wonder how I’ll go back to sleep. I think one reason I sleep well is that I work at staying away from the drama. Drama comes in all shapes and sizes. The digital news pours it on non stop. People who have drama in their lives like to unload it on anyone who’s close by. Stay away from those folks. I was talking to a guy the other day and he wanted to talk about politics. He’s a nice guy when he’s not into the political thing. I told him I was leaving the conversation because I valued being at peace more than I valued continuing the political discussion with him. I’ve learned that it’s okay to walk away from drama-filled situations. If you can reduce the times and the types of people who fill the room with drama, you’ll find yourself much happier.
Grieving Forward: Embracing Change and Rediscovering Strength ~ Episode 90
Join us in Episode 90 of “Journey from Grief to Healing” as we explore the complexities of grieving and the journey toward healing. We delve into the enduring nature of grief, acknowledging that while it may fade into the background, it never truly leaves us. Drawing inspiration from comedian Gilda Radner, we confront the uncertainty of life and the importance of embracing our vulnerabilities. Through guided visualization, we offer a path to relaxation, releasing tension, and rediscovering inner strength. Join us on this transformative journey from darkness to light, as we find peace amidst the waves of life’s changes. Remember, our story isn’t over—we still have chapters to write, filled with resilience, growth, and joy. Tune in and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
You can listen to Episode 90 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 90
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Today’s Thought: Are You in Balance?
Three days a week I practice balancing on one leg then on the other leg for 30 seconds. I repeat this balancing exercise three times with each leg. I’ve read where practicing balancing is good for our core and brain. It makes me think about my life. An important question is, “Is my life in balance?” A follow up question is, “If I am out of balance, where is my life out of balance?” When our lives are not in balance, we become stressed. We can only stay out of balance so long before we topple over. When we’re in balance we’re able to adapt to the organic process of living. Dial back on the things that are keeping you off balance. Place a greater emphasis on the important things that have been set aside.
Today’s Thought: Stress Happens It’s All Okay
Stress can blindside us. We’re coasting along, bopping our head to our favorite tunes when, out of the blue, it happens. An event stresses us out. We forget about the music we were listening to. We forget about the good mood we were in. All we think about is the stressor event. It may not even be a big event. A co-worker passes by and makes a snide remark. Your mom calls and wants to know why you haven’t called. Or, it could be one of the biggys. It’s easy for a friend to say, “let it go” when you know you can’t. It easy to hear advice that tells you to deep breath and you know you don’t have time for that stuff. The way I see it, you’re being human. Being human means we have to buckle up and ride out the bumpy parts of the ride. I’ve learned I can’t avoid stressors. I’ve also learned I don’t have to go looking for them. I’ll let them find me.
The Myth of Time as a Healer: Real Strategies for Grieving and Growth – Healing Journey Ep. 88
Welcome to episode 88 of Dr. Ray Calabrese’s podcast, ‘Journey from Grief to Healing.’ In this empowering episode, he shares his understanding of the grieving process, emphasizing that healing, although arduous, is possible and achievable for all.explore the complex and deeply personal process of grieving. Far from the commonly held belief that time heals all wounds, we learn that time merely allows us to adjust to loss in our unique ways. As the intensity of grief lessens with time, memories persist, albeit with a softer voice. We discuss the transformative power of relaxation techniques in offering temporary relief and potentially rewiring the brain for the arduous journey ahead. The episode touches on the physical manifestations of grief, such as “broken heart syndrome,” and stresses the importance of not rushing the grieving process. Finally, we delve into the profound benefits of mental visualization in healing and reigniting hope, learning to dream again and envisioning a life filled with possibility.
You can listen to Episode 88 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 88
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes
Get Healthy: Chronic Stress Is Really Bad for You
Chronic stress is intricately linked to various illnesses, significantly impacting mental health, cognitive functioning, and the onset of chronic diseases. Chronic stress accelerates and exacerbates pre-existing vulnerabilities, leading to mental health issues such as depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and cognitive impairments in populations with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease (Marin et al., 2011). The chronicity and controllability of stress play significant roles in stress-illness relationships, with chronic stressors leading to greater health detriments compared to episodic stressors, as evidenced by their effects on psychosomatic symptoms and depression (Gannon & Pardie, 1989). Chronic stress has been linked to an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety, type 2 diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, circulatory disease, asthma, and emphysema, highlighting the need for interventions that address chronic stress to prevent the onset and exacerbation of these conditions (Renzaho et al., 2014).
In summary, chronic stress is a significant factor contributing to the development and exacerbation of various diseases. Addressing chronic stress through targeted interventions could mitigate its impact on health and improve outcomes for individuals experiencing chronic stress-related conditions.
Source: ChatGPT
Get Healthy: Always Stressed? It Can Impact Your Health
Living a stress-filled lifestyle can have profound effects on both your physical and mental health. Chronic stress can lead to a wide range of health issues, impacting various aspects of well-being. Here are some of the key areas affected:
- Cardiovascular Health: Chronic stress has been linked to higher risks of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. It can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and chronic elevation of these can lead to damage to the arterial walls.
- Immune System: Stress can suppress the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses. It can also prolong the healing process.
- Weight and Metabolism: Stress can affect appetite and metabolism. Some people may experience weight loss due to decreased appetite, while others may gain weight due to increased consumption of food, especially high-calorie comfort foods, as a coping mechanism. Chronic stress can also lead to obesity and the issues that come with it, such as type 2 diabetes.
- Mental Health: Stress is a significant risk factor for mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It can exacerbate symptoms of existing mental health conditions and contribute to cognitive problems like memory loss and concentration difficulties.
- Digestive System: Stress can affect the gut-brain interaction, leading to a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Reproductive System: In women, chronic stress can lead to irregular, heavier, or more painful periods and can exacerbate symptoms of menopause. In men, it can affect testosterone production, sperm production, and libido.
- Musculoskeletal System: Stress causes muscles to tense up, which can lead to headaches, migraines, and other musculoskeletal conditions over time.
- Skin and Hair: Stress can lead to skin problems, such as acne or eczema, and can affect hair health, potentially causing hair loss or graying.
To manage stress and its effects on health, it’s important to adopt stress-reduction techniques and lifestyle changes. These can include regular physical activity, mindfulness practices like meditation, maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from friends, family, or professionals when needed.
Source: ChatGPT
Thinking Out Loud – What Can You Control?
“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” ~ Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
NOTE: Think of the things that can cause us to get upset? Many of them are outside our control. We can’t control if our team wins or loses. We can’t control who will win an election. We can’t control who our kids will fall in love with. We can’t control the weather. We can’t control how others feel about us. What we can control is ourselves and our reaction to people and events. If we want to be happy we won’t let people or events over which we have no control destroy our happiness. The only one I can control is me and how I respond to people and events. That’s my full time job!!
Today’s Inspiring Quote: You Have an Inner Strength, Stay Strong, Never Quit
Be calm and strong and patient. Meet failure and disappointment with courage. Rise superior to the trials of life, and never give in to hopelessness or despair. In danger, in adversity, cling to your principles and ideals.
