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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.

liz223 | @liz223 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

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When best friends know your weaknesses and use them against you when you're together in a group it tends to stop you from trusting; When a husband who claims to love you and then cheats it again causes you not to trust.
When your stepfather won't keep his hands to himself, it's horrible.
When your boss constantly makes sexist remarks, it's miserable.
I only trust God. Man cannot be trusted. I've learned to live with it. Share only what doesn't really matter. If you need to confess or confide, go to God.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

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@liz223 I can "hear" the hurt in your words and I'm so sorry that you have had so many traumatic experiences involving others. I am glad that you can connect with God as well as with us here at Mayo Connect . I would like to ask one question, if I may: Might there be one person in your circle of acquaintances that might be worth some "incremental trust" (a small step approach)? Teresa

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liz223 | @liz223 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

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Teresa, thanks for your reply. I actually share thoughts with others, just not confidential facts. Also I have remained with my husband for almost 62 years even after learning not to trust him.. I have just learned that trusting is a dangerous place to go. It is painful when you're let down. I expect nothing from others. It's lonesome and I would love a good friend I could totally trust, but I don't think it's going to happen. I don't blame them, I just think it is the nature of man/woman to gossip or use facts against you. I'm a loner and I manage OK. I have lots of acquaintances and am outgoing, but no close friends. I totally trust my son, but do not share a lot of my feelings. I trusted my mom, but again did not share my feelings. I found that I couldn't even trust my pastors. Sad, isn't it? My dad wasn't trustworthy either. I loved him, but knew he couldn't be trusted. I do like internet friends. They're the best kind. 🙂

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liz223 | @liz223 | Jul 16, 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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Abby, I totally understand. We placed our names on lists for a retirement apartment, but when something comes open, we just can't give-up our home. We are so comfortable here, but then we think of the time we will no longer be able to take full care of ourselves. We're now 85. Yikes!

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Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @liz223 "I do meditation on my own which has been a great help. I have learned to..." + (show)
@liz223

I do meditation on my own which has been a great help. I have learned to simply find a quiet place, be still, relax and take a deep breath, hold a bit, let it out and repeat as many times as I choose (without counting).. I focus on my breathing. When outside thoughts enter my mind, I shove them away and continue to focus on my breathing. After I practiced this a few times a day for a few weeks, I can now do it anytime. It even did away with my "white coat syndrome" at my doctor's office. My BP has gone from dangerously high to normal. It is great, makes me feel relaxed and IT WORKS. 🙂 Hope you will give it a try and it will cost you nothing. My husband says he cannot do it. I don't understand why not, but perhaps not everyone can, at least without more instruction or a different method. Good Luck!

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@hopeful33250 Teresa, I don't spend very long as a rule, just a few minutes on the diary, and from 2 minutes to 15 on the journal. I find it hard to verbalize my feelings. I do sometimes with the therapist, but often I don't know where to start.

I wonder if there's a website that addresses that issue of expressing feelings, maybe questions to ask myself, different categories of feelings. . . Or you and others might have suggestions.

Jim

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

Jump to this post

@liz223 I am glad that you found us! Blessings Teresa

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @liz223 "I do meditation on my own which has been a great help. I have learned to..." + (show)
@liz223

I do meditation on my own which has been a great help. I have learned to simply find a quiet place, be still, relax and take a deep breath, hold a bit, let it out and repeat as many times as I choose (without counting).. I focus on my breathing. When outside thoughts enter my mind, I shove them away and continue to focus on my breathing. After I practiced this a few times a day for a few weeks, I can now do it anytime. It even did away with my "white coat syndrome" at my doctor's office. My BP has gone from dangerously high to normal. It is great, makes me feel relaxed and IT WORKS. 🙂 Hope you will give it a try and it will cost you nothing. My husband says he cannot do it. I don't understand why not, but perhaps not everyone can, at least without more instruction or a different method. Good Luck!

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@jimhd Jim: I'm sure there must be some good suggestions from others in our group. After doing a little research I found a webpage on Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/explore/journaling/. There are some interesting questions, there. If you click on "Know Thyself in 25 Questions" - it looks like there are some great thought starters. Also "22 Journal Prompts" has some great ideas. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Teresa

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

Jump to this post

@liz223

I've found that trusting God requires the same process as trusting people. Our trust grows the more we get to know him. Many people have a hard time with the idea of trusting a heavenly Father because of the terrible relationship with their earthly father. The father image is distorted because of abuse, abandonment, neglect, and so on, which means unlearning the bad father garbage, and discovering a new kind of father, who loves them, listens, cares, and who will never leave them. I'm sure that seems impossible to a lot of people, both women and men.

My own father was a good man who loved his 6 children and worked hard to provide for us. But he was always distant, couldn't express his love, and wasn't home much during the day. I had to set aside those dysfunctional traits, and learn about the one perfect father. It was a long process, but I don't regret the effort I put into it.

Jim

REPLY
liz223 | @liz223 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

Jump to this post

It took me a long time to learn to trust God also. However, I'm so glad I do. It took me through some pretty tough times, but you're right. I know He loves me, will never leave me and He never changes. He will not lie to us. I find peace with him.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 16, 2017
In reply to @ryman "My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my..." + (show)
@ryman

My spirituality is centered in God and the work that Jesus did for us. If my faith were strong enough, I would have no stress or anxiety but even when my faith is weak, I know God is in control and will be with me. Without Him I could not face the tough days.

Jump to this post

@jimhd Yes, often our concept of God is colored by our earthly father's image. I remember reading a good, Your God is Too Small, that dealt with incorrect assumptions about who God is - good reading for those who seek to know God without the earthly limitations that we put on Him. Teresa

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