Step into True Peace and REST (and Less Stress) This Spring!
โ
Hi there!
โ
How are you doing today?
โ
If you are anything like me, when the weather starts turning even just a little bit from bitter cold (or maybe just "coldish" if you are in the south or parts of the southwest) and the faintest of new life starts peeking through, I start feeling that sense of new life and new growth in my bones too!
โ
In fact, I always thought it was kind of odd that everyone is encouraged to have "New Year Resolutions" on Jan 1, when it just makes sense that all we want to do is cozy up with a good book by a warm fire during the coldest month of the year!
โ
Spring is for renewal and new life, new possibilities, and new ventures. It is a time for watching new plants grow and for growing new visions, new goals, and new actions in our lives too!
โ
That is my opinion about it anyways. I also feel that it is part of the rhythm that God intended for our our bodies and the seasons of the earth too! Maybe that is why it says in Acts 14:17:
โ
"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.โ
โ
Amen!
โ
This spring, it is my sincere hope that you consider stepping into a new season of rest and JOY like never before!
โ
This may be a tall order in our busy, often chaotic, lives but I believe it can be done if we make a choice to prioritize self-care, quite time, and gentle movement for our bodies every day this season. The blessing of doing this will reap so many rewards not just for your spiritual journey, but for your physical health as well.
โ
But what can you do if stress seems to be all around you- coming at you from other people, circumstances in your lives, and from the world at large?
โ
This is a reality for a lot of us, sometimes myself included!
โ
Another key to lowering stress lies not so much in attempting to control what happens on the outside (i.e. other people's actions and life circumstances in general).
โ
Let me explain what I mean. If you are in a stressful situation, yes, it may be a good idea to consider how you can get out of it in a healthy way. And if you are in a dangerous or abusive situation, it is even more important to make a change. For most stressful situations, however, the most impactful thing you can do to help calm yourself (and lower those stress hormones) is to change your perception about what is happening now.
โ
See the Now You Try It... section below for what I mean by this exactly and some tips on how to do it. Also, be sure to check out THIS VIDEO for more info on how to stay out of the "stress trap" and THIS VIDEO to learn more about the connection between stress, chronic inflammation, and disease -- and what you can do about it!
โ
Blessings my friends! Have a wonderful week, stay healthy, and see you on the road!
โ
Nikki P. (& Ms. D )
โ
โ โ โ
โ
Now You Try It:
โ
Changing our perspective in real time about something that is happening in the moment is not about trying to "make something happen" or beating ourselves up because we are having a particular response or intense emotion. It is simply about allowing ourselves the space internally to step back for a moment and be aware of what is going on.
โ
The next time you are in a stressful situation, whether that is an argument with someone, rush hour traffic, or rushing to make an appointment on time, I encourage you to STOP for just one second and try this:
โ
#1 take a deep breath in and then slowly exhale out, deliberately making your exhale longer than your inhale. Do this at least two times.
โ
#2 Ask internally: What am I feeling emotionally? What is my body experiencing right now? You can also rate your stress level, where "0" is no stress and "10" is a panic attack.
โ
#3 Allow God "in" to be your comforter and guide, if that feels right to you. Some, as I do, call our Creator "True Family."
โ
Feel free to allow an aspect of the Trinity to help you- True Abba, True Holy Spirit, True Jesus, the True Lion of Judah, etc. Some like to step into scripture to help them connect to the Lord. A good one is Joshua 1:9 "...Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
โ
#4 When you feel that your stress level has gone down a little (you can rate yourself again), this is great news! This means that stress hormones have cooled as well, and so has inflammation and your risk for disease. It also means that your ability to make creative, insightful, solution-oriented decisions has come back online (this ability goes "off line" during fight or flight). This is a good point to as yourself this question:
โ
"How can I respond to this person or situation right now that would be best for both myself and others?"
โ
Doing this in the middle of a stressful encounter is not easy. It takes practice and lots of patience with ourselves (and with others). We can learn from the example of our savior, however, as well as other people in our lives who may display more patience, kindness, compassion, and wisdom than ourselves. Over time, we will get there - and our actions in tough situations will become blessings that others can learn from too!
PS I would love to hear from you! Be sure to drop me a line HERE!
โ
โ
----------
DISCLAIMER: The videos, articles, and blogs created by Nikki Lyn Pugh, MFA, INHC (aka The Gentle Healthy Traveler) are for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. Please consult your regular physician or natural health professional.
โ
โ
โ