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How Spirituality Can Help Stress
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?
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@blindeyepug Thanks for the comments on Hawaii, I am so excited. It's a real splurge but after what we went through, my husband along with me of course, we deserve it and going with our son and his girlfriend really makes it special. Not too many opportunities for that left. The flights from the east coast are long, long, long. We will fly over via SF and back via LA, about 17 hours of flying time. I did manage to get slightly long layovers to walk around the airport and get a bit of exercise in between.
JK
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3 Reactions@abida
I wish I could say that life never got me down to a place where I couldn't climb out. I was in that deep, dark hole for what seemed like a long time, and climbing out took even longer. I made it up far enough to sit on the edge, and moving away from the hole to a place where I was safe took time, as well. That period of my life was from 2003 to 2014. I still see a therapist every week for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Throughout that time, I felt abandoned, but not by God. I knew He was always with me, putting in overtime protecting me from myself. I began following Christ as a young child, and I've been a minister for 45 years, though I retired in 2006 because I was seriously disabled by mental illness and suicide attempts. I remain active in a good church, playing the piano and leading worship.
When I was in the dark hole, I couldn't pray or read. I had to rely on the faith I had put into practice for more than 50 years. Even though my faith in God didn't change, it was a time of feeling cold spiritually. Before I retired, it was very difficult to prepare sermons and be a pastor. I called a friend a few times, who would come and preach for me. I retired in 2006, and moved to a home we had purchased two years earlier, where I began recovery. It was a hard time for my wife, as well, and I regret that.
My faith is certainly at the core of my survival. Others have had a part in it, but God is my center.
Jim
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4 ReactionsJim, God does love us. I'm so glad your faith has seen you through the dark places in your life. He never leaves us.
I too accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was very young, but ignored His teachings for many years later in life. I sunk into deep depression in my early 20s and was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed as Bipolar. I didn't function well for two years, but I never lost hope. I have now learned I must depend on God everyday to function. He has blessed me in so many ways and is using me in the church. It has been a hard road and I had to endure heartaches because I would not turn loose and give all my life to Him. The day I did, everything changed. I now have received His peace and it is wonderful.
Blessings
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5 Reactions@amberpep. In response to your question about awaking feeling panicky, I have had that happen just a few times. I discovered that sometimes certain antidepressants can cause panic attacks. The other thing is that your medications may be wearing off early. Since after you take your morning meds, the feeling goes away. I recommend you talk to your physician about what's happening. You may also want to talk to your pharmacist about this. I have found my pharmacist to be better educated on medications than my physicians. He has been very helpful for me in the past. I hope you find relief. Gail B Ledesma
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3 Reactions@gailb Talking with the pharmacist is a great idea, Gail. I too have found that a pharmacist has wonderful abilities to help you put your medicines together in a helpful way. Thanks for that suggestion. Teresa
@liz223 Liz, I am not quite as religious as you probably but I do believe very strongly. I have huge respect for people who take it even further. You comments about the day you gave your life to Him reminded of an article about Denzel Washington. His father was a preacher but Denzel rejected religion for a while. When he turned back to God his life changed. He is very devout now and apparently a real "stand up guy". I admire him for being so in the plastic world of Hollywood.
JK
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2 Reactions@gailb I agree Gail, many pharmacists do know more about drugs than our doctors, particularly those that are internists or family practitioners. Mine prescribed a decongestant for something that was bothering me last year. I found out from the pharmacist that the prescription was more of an anti-histamine, or vice-versa, I forget. Interestingly though I don't think the education required to become a pharmacist is as stringent as it used to be. It used to be a full five year program but I think it is less now. I find that interesting because now to become a physical therapist or an audiologist you need to have a doctorate! Mine does not because he was grandfathered in.
JK
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1 Reaction@blindeyepug I just put the tv on in my bedroom on a channel with sitcoms.I watch the same ones every night, even re-runs. I guess I like having familiar faces in the room with me. I then set the sleep timer to auto turn off tv in an hour. I am asleep within 10 minutes. The tv is a good distraction for the brain. It has become such a habit, that I cannot go to sleep without that routine. But, I find it better than taking pills!
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2 Reactions@windwalker Terri: I do the same thing! I don't feel so bad about it, now that I;'ve found someone else who indulges in sitcoms as well!
Teresa
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1 Reaction@windwalker I love it! Great idea!
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