I don’t know which is worse; preparing or waiting. Both can cause stress, making us feel the weight of anticipation weighing us down. If you’re starting to feel the pressure building inside, try some simple stress relievers to help you manage your wait:
1) Exercise - Endorphins are the one natural bi-product our body produces when we exercise and help to relieve stress. You don’t need a gym to do some simple exercises. Try walking or jogging in place for 10-15 minutes. Start at a warm up pace, slowly building to the speed you can handle and then slowly come back down to a natural stop. Do this exercise for up to 30 minutes at a time. Take a short break and do it again (if you can).
2) Stretch – If you don’t have any yoga moves up your sleeve try a few simple stretches. Just remember not to overstretch your muscles, especially when you have not been physically active for a period of time.
3) Read – A good book or publication is a great way to get your mind off of everything. “Reader’s Digest” is a great short read that will help keep your mind changing and challenging your thoughts. I love the “In Uniform” and other funny sections of this priceless publication.
4) House cleaning – Being productive and seeing results not only keeps us occupied, it helps keep us positive and active.
5) Positive thinking – “If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for think about these things.” (Phil 4:8). The power we possess through our relationship with God empowers us to overcome everything. It’s up to us to make the decision to turn on the power that lives inside of us.
6) Eat healthy food - When we worry we tend to either not eat or eat the wrong food when we do eat. Remember: Food is fuel! We need productive “fuel” to keep us balanced (you wouldn’t put water in a gas tank and expect your car to run).
7) Avoid alcohol –The brain is made up of cells (aka neurons). Neurons affect many responses inside our body (physical, mental and emotional) and connect throughout the brain via junction-like channels called “synapses”. Neurons produce and secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synapse. These transmitters can either stimulate (generating a nerve signal) or inhibit (depress) neurons in the synapse. Alcohol quickly passes into the brain, inhibiting the process of our neuron activity specifically the “mood” portion of our brain (amygdala – pronounced “a-mig-da-la”, listen to the proper pronunciation at http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?amygda01.wav=amygdala ) from producing properly thus resulting in “depression.” Alcohol is considered “poison” to our body. Even as little as 2 ounces of alcohol consumption on an empty stomach can negatively affect your blood sugar levels, depleting your body of healthy stored energy.
8) Prayer – Taking the pressure off yourself and putting it back where it belongs (in the hands of God) not only refocuses your mind, it shifts your understanding from “It’s all on me” to “It’s in God’s hands”. Learning to release what is not ours is not only freeing, it’s relieving. We’re only responsible to do what we can do. What will be, will be. Knowing that we’re always safe when we’re in the hands of God is not only empowering, it’s the ultimate stress reliever.
Quick Tip for Wellness: When stressed, think, act and do something positive.
Quick Tips for Wellness, Pat Ferguson, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved
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