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Mentor

How Spirituality Can Help Stress

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Jul 11, 2017

I recently read an article from Mayo Clinic about Spirituality and Stress Relief. Here is how the article began:

"Some stress relief tools are very tangible: exercising more, eating healthy foods and talking with friends. A less tangible — but no less useful — way to find stress relief is through spirituality.

What is spirituality?

Spirituality has many definitions, but at its core spirituality helps to give your life context. It's not necessarily connected to a specific belief system or even religious worship. Instead, it arises from your connection with yourself and with others, the development of your personal value system, and your search for meaning in life.

For many, spirituality takes the form of religious observance, prayer, meditation or a belief in a higher power. For others, it can be found in nature, music, art or a secular community. Spirituality is different for everyone." The complete article can be found at http://mayocl.in/2u8FOTm.

How has spirituality helped you to deal with stress?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 12, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Well, I just came home from "overnighting" the papers for sale of my condo in MD,..." + (show)
@amberpep

Well, I just came home from "overnighting" the papers for sale of my condo in MD, and also wired the money necessary for me to add to sell it. I feel just a bit like I've just given away my dog .... my close friend and companion. Odd, I didn't think I'd feel like this. But, it's over now, and I'm moving on to another apartment too, so it's one of those days you just put one foot in front of the other and move ahead.
abby

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@amberpep Some great tips! Teresa

REPLY
rspaulling | @rspaulling | Jul 12, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like some input from anyone that has any insight into this. I've had depression and anxiety since I was an early teen and finally at age 45, I went to my doctor. She sent me to a Psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. That was many, many, moons ago and I have a different Psychiatrist and now take meds. for Depression/Anxiety and Cyclothymia. I sleep great every night (my adult kids tell me I could sleep standing up!!!), but every morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor I feel this overwhelming anxiety and I don't know why. I slept well, was it dreams? I don't know what causes this, but I come right to the kitchen, take my meds. and within 45 min. it's gone. I just don't get why I wake up that way .... it doesn't make any sense to me. Input from anyone?
abby

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I listen to songs on my tablet from Christian groups before I pray. When I wake up, I give God my whole day. Then I remember a song I heard the day before. Of course, I am on a med that handles my social anxiety and depression. I get manic sometimes but my husband and my daughter touch me on my hand to let me know I'm getting manic.

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pdilly | @pdilly | Jul 12, 2017
In reply to @abida "I agree one hundred percent with the fact that spirituality helps people out from the darkest..." + (show)
@abida

I agree one hundred percent with the fact that spirituality helps people out from the darkest fears and inconsolable losses.I lost my eldest child 5 years back few months after his twenty second birthday.My world turned upside down but I was always a spiritual person so even such a big loss could not drag me down to a place where I could not climb out.Granted I have days where I do feel low and listless but these moments don't last for long. I have survived it only because of spirituality

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"The Lord is near the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit"
The bible verse that has helped me through several difficult times in my life -- but none as difficult as what you have experienced. God bless you @abida -- I know he is near you.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 12, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like some input from anyone that has any insight into this. I've had depression and anxiety since I was an early teen and finally at age 45, I went to my doctor. She sent me to a Psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. That was many, many, moons ago and I have a different Psychiatrist and now take meds. for Depression/Anxiety and Cyclothymia. I sleep great every night (my adult kids tell me I could sleep standing up!!!), but every morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor I feel this overwhelming anxiety and I don't know why. I slept well, was it dreams? I don't know what causes this, but I come right to the kitchen, take my meds. and within 45 min. it's gone. I just don't get why I wake up that way .... it doesn't make any sense to me. Input from anyone?
abby

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@amberpep I too will be interested in hearing responses. Many nights my head is swirling around, preventing sleep, but generally it's all in the background in the morning -- not gone, but in the background.
I know right now I will be having many of those sleepless nights soon because of so many things about to happen -- BIG vacation in October followed immediately by TKR surgery, then while still recovering my daughter's wedding ceremony followed by lunch, then a month and a half later the wedding celebration!
It's a weird way of doing things, but that's my daughter. I am curious to see where they will live after getting married since he is based in Philadelphia where he has started a business and she is NYC where she has a HUGE network, something that is necessary for her since she is a free-lance writer. Time will tell.
JK

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jul 12, 2017
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@4loss I appreciate this new perspective and idea. Could you share more about this guided meditation?..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@4loss I appreciate this new perspective and idea. Could you share more about this guided meditation? Teresa

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The app sounds interesting. I'm going to check it out.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like some input from anyone that has any insight into this. I've had depression and anxiety since I was an early teen and finally at age 45, I went to my doctor. She sent me to a Psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. That was many, many, moons ago and I have a different Psychiatrist and now take meds. for Depression/Anxiety and Cyclothymia. I sleep great every night (my adult kids tell me I could sleep standing up!!!), but every morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor I feel this overwhelming anxiety and I don't know why. I slept well, was it dreams? I don't know what causes this, but I come right to the kitchen, take my meds. and within 45 min. it's gone. I just don't get why I wake up that way .... it doesn't make any sense to me. Input from anyone?
abby

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@amberpep

Could it be a side effect of a medication? You might be able to program an alarm clock to play something that you find soothing and relaxing.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like some input from anyone that has any insight into this. I've had depression and anxiety since I was an early teen and finally at age 45, I went to my doctor. She sent me to a Psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. That was many, many, moons ago and I have a different Psychiatrist and now take meds. for Depression/Anxiety and Cyclothymia. I sleep great every night (my adult kids tell me I could sleep standing up!!!), but every morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor I feel this overwhelming anxiety and I don't know why. I slept well, was it dreams? I don't know what causes this, but I come right to the kitchen, take my meds. and within 45 min. it's gone. I just don't get why I wake up that way .... it doesn't make any sense to me. Input from anyone?
abby

Jump to this post

@contentandwell You do have a lot on your plate, JK! Can you plan some self-care in the midst of the flurry of activities? Teresa

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like some input from anyone that has any insight into this. I've had depression and anxiety since I was an early teen and finally at age 45, I went to my doctor. She sent me to a Psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. That was many, many, moons ago and I have a different Psychiatrist and now take meds. for Depression/Anxiety and Cyclothymia. I sleep great every night (my adult kids tell me I could sleep standing up!!!), but every morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor I feel this overwhelming anxiety and I don't know why. I slept well, was it dreams? I don't know what causes this, but I come right to the kitchen, take my meds. and within 45 min. it's gone. I just don't get why I wake up that way .... it doesn't make any sense to me. Input from anyone?
abby

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Teresa, the self care is our vacation in October, a lengthy one for us. Getting there and returning will be exhausting (Hawaii) but once there I plan to relax and enjoy.
I have little involvement in my daughter's wedding so far. Initially I was helping them look in Boston but her fiance is a very large influence and the wedding will be taking place in NYC and they are handling everything. I never said i would pay for all of it, I will contribute, so I can't really expect to be overly involved. She knew a long time ago that we would not be totally footing the bill since we did pay fully for her college education.
JK

REPLY
Barb | @amberpep | Jul 13, 2017

I like the idea of waking up to soft music .... I have quite a lot of Christian CD's that I could use as an alarm clock that would be nice to wake up to ..... I also have a lot of CD's of harp music - I love that and in fact am learning to play one .... it's a Celtic Harp or a Lyre. Maybe next time my son comes over he can help me set it up so that it will do that ...... I'm sure no technocrat! Great idea ... thanks!
abby

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 13, 2017
In reply to @amberpep "Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like..." + (show)
@amberpep

Hi all ..... if I may, I'm going to "switch horses" here .... I would like some input from anyone that has any insight into this. I've had depression and anxiety since I was an early teen and finally at age 45, I went to my doctor. She sent me to a Psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. That was many, many, moons ago and I have a different Psychiatrist and now take meds. for Depression/Anxiety and Cyclothymia. I sleep great every night (my adult kids tell me I could sleep standing up!!!), but every morning, as soon as my feet hit the floor I feel this overwhelming anxiety and I don't know why. I slept well, was it dreams? I don't know what causes this, but I come right to the kitchen, take my meds. and within 45 min. it's gone. I just don't get why I wake up that way .... it doesn't make any sense to me. Input from anyone?
abby

Jump to this post

@contentandwell A trip to Hawaii sounds like perfect self-care!! Teresa

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