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

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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@contentandwell
Yes, I know the feeling - these are missed opportunities - but in your case, I'm sure that you weren't feeling well enough to even think about writing. Transplants are pretty traumatic events. You made it through!

Teresa

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@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 Thanks Teresa, you are right. My biggest problem was how tired I was in the hospital. I couldn't stay awake! My husband got really upset with me because when they were telling me about what to do when I went home I fell asleep! Generally I am not the type of person who falls asleep unless I intentionally try to. My husband always falls asleep in front of the TV but if I'm watching something I never do. I guess it was the fatigue after surgery but also the medications that effected me.
JK

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I did find journals and numerous other creations I had acquired through the years...took them to a safe place out in the country and burned them. A glorious bonfire minus hot dogs and smores. I have far too many times seen how folks cling to material things. I have also seen families, once a person is no longer living, have fights, be angry, and hire attorney's, even find old letters, journals, etc. Yes, I have seen this and told myself I would not do this to anyone. Most times everything is trashed that cannot be sold or in some way used.

The thing I have realized the most. No one else really wants to read about some one else's dark past...and memories I leave behind I want to be positive memories.

We do live in a throw a-way society in many ways...not a sob story. I know folks w/ riches, nice homes, nice cars and these are, mostly, unhappy folks.

To be content with what one has and with the things one can, "small" though they may be, accomplish is an accomplishment.

So, I have been downsizing again. I love my adult children and my grand children. After how I have seen other families behave when a loved (?) one is gone...not at all something I would have expected. My kids already know that their mom has never been a hoarder nor a materialistic person...some things in life are still free.

By no means being haughty and/or critical. I am me and not what I wear, what I drive, nor, where I live. This is how people oft see each other.

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The body heals when it sleeps.

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Hi everybody, I haven't been on connect for awhile. I scheduled myself for a retreat at a monastery for nuns. That's happening this August. I even signed up for spiritual direction from one of the nuns. They pray and decide who to put with you. I'm going to monastery when my son goes to special needs camp. I thought it would be good to stay in the area so I don't have to drive back and forth to the twin cities.

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@ihatediabetes

Hi everybody, I haven't been on connect for awhile. I scheduled myself for a retreat at a monastery for nuns. That's happening this August. I even signed up for spiritual direction from one of the nuns. They pray and decide who to put with you. I'm going to monastery when my son goes to special needs camp. I thought it would be good to stay in the area so I don't have to drive back and forth to the twin cities.

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Hello @ihatediabetes,

It is good to hear from you! We have missed your posts. I'm glad you checked in with us at Mayo Connect.

Teresa

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@ihatediabetes

Hi everybody, I haven't been on connect for awhile. I scheduled myself for a retreat at a monastery for nuns. That's happening this August. I even signed up for spiritual direction from one of the nuns. They pray and decide who to put with you. I'm going to monastery when my son goes to special needs camp. I thought it would be good to stay in the area so I don't have to drive back and forth to the twin cities.

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@ihatediabetes, that's a wonderful idea. Nothing but inner reflection and prayer. It sounds so quiet and peaceful, no stress.
sigh... how you been? I are fine. I still itch, but at least i havent been diagnosed with anything new. That's always a blessing in itself. I may try a new church tomorrow, thinking about it. Hey lady, keep it loose, Judy (Dany)

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@ihatediabetes I hope the retreat goes well for you and you get all you want from it. I have never been on one but I have that a lot of people find them helpful.
JK

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@ihatediabetes

Hi everybody, I haven't been on connect for awhile. I scheduled myself for a retreat at a monastery for nuns. That's happening this August. I even signed up for spiritual direction from one of the nuns. They pray and decide who to put with you. I'm going to monastery when my son goes to special needs camp. I thought it would be good to stay in the area so I don't have to drive back and forth to the twin cities.

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@ihatediabetes, before I retired, I went to a hermitage at least once a year as a personal, mostly solitary, retreat. I read, walked in the woods that surround the hermitage, sometimes went to hourly prayers, prayed, rested, and sometimes planned a general outline of my sermons for the coming year. I often cooked, or helped cook meals and did the cleanup. I was usually the only person there other than Fr. Arsenius. I miss those times. I hope you find it to be a good time of renewal.

Jim

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@ihatediabetes

Hi everybody, I haven't been on connect for awhile. I scheduled myself for a retreat at a monastery for nuns. That's happening this August. I even signed up for spiritual direction from one of the nuns. They pray and decide who to put with you. I'm going to monastery when my son goes to special needs camp. I thought it would be good to stay in the area so I don't have to drive back and forth to the twin cities.

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Hi Jim @jimhd

Thanks for sharing the details of your retreat - it sounds like it was perfect for you. You make it sound like something we all should do.

Teresa

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