What's Stress Got to Do With it?

"Stressed out" - to be worried or nervous; being tense or anxious because of difficulty in our lives. But stress is more than a feeling. It's a real, neurological response that occurs when the sympathetic nervous system hits the gas and the body goes in to high gear.  The body dumps adrenaline (the high energy hormone) and the brain has to instantly make a decision whether to stand a "fight" or run in  "flight."  This divine design is pretty amazing.  Until this amazing feature of the body is being engaged on a daily basis because of life, work, finances and relationships.  Beloved - life is hard.  I get it.  ON SO MANY LEVELS - I get it.  But adrenaline being continually pumped into circulation can harm blood vessels, raise blood pressure, increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, increase your appetite and cause weight gain. 

Adrenaline was designed to be the "gas" in the car when we gotta move.  Beloved, if our bodies are constantly, due to life, being pressed into "fight or flight" two things ARE going to happen:  The adrenals (responsible for manufacturing adrenaline) are gonna crap out (adrenal fatigue) and over the long term, our body's metabolism is gonna take a GINORMOUS hit (think heart attack, stroke, metabolic disease.... or worse).  

Like many our age I understand that #adulting is SUPER HARD.  Most of us are done raising up our own offspring but many are actively engaged in caring for elderly parents and/or grandchildren.  Many of us have zero design on "retirement" (who really wants their jersey hanging on a rafter?  #notme) but have rebooted to a completely different career and pursuing passion and purpose.  Nothing in life is stress free - even exercise is stress in the moment.  

So - what do we do about stress?  Address it.  Stress, left unchecked, as we talked about above has the potential to end our lives.  Seriously.  #aintnobodygottimeforthat 

When I realized this week that stress had finally gotten the better of me and I was having PHYSICAL manifestations of stress, I KNEW  I needed to act.  The first thing I did?  Admit it.  Share with some people I trust what was going on in my heart and life that were causing me emotional pain.  Then, as a woman of faith, I prayed.  I took my heart and worries back to God and admitted to Him that I was carrying burdens that weren't mine to carry. Moment by moment He reminded me that anywhere I am headed, He is already there.  He's got me.  He's got you.  He's got THIS (and the WHOLE WIDE WORLD in HIS hands).  (You're singing that now, aren't you? Good)

Second -  I took a hard look at my nutrition (and my waistline) and made changes.  I have been running too much stress through my heart and body for too long.  And some of my calorie choices are simply not beneficial.  There is a scientifically proven connection between mood and food. If we're eating real plants and animals, our bodies know what to do with that.  Our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, fish and animal protein.  They don't know what to do with things like ammonium, sodium benzoate, castoreum, but, chances are, those highly and ultra processed calories being touted as "safe" and "healthy" aren't.  

Third - I gave myself a break from the stress of lifting.  Y'all - I love to lift.  But my WHOLE HUMAN needed a break from lifting.  It might still.  But I'm back in the gym today and we're gonna get back to it.  Will it be beautiful?  Probably not.  But it will be good because I know how good it feels to get blood flowing into my muscles. H2 and I are doing another round of a program called Chop Wood, Carry Water not only because it was amazing programming but because of the life skills we learned during the workouts.  I have been reading the book that gave rise to the program and HIGHLY recommend it! (and if you'd like to join us in the program, I've got a discount) We're not only exercising but we're learning life - one small, consistent movement at a time.  

Fourth - I am looking at ALL the issues I am confronted with in my life and writing them down on paper.  I can only do every day what I can do and the rest will have to wait.  Or not get done.  Or wait until someone else can do it. It'll be there tomorrow or it won't be and if it isn't, maybe that's God's way of saying it was never mine to handle anyway. What are you carrying that's not yours?  What are you trying to control that isn't in your control?  Let. it. Go. 

Lastly - I started a meditation program from Unplugged on the BODi Library.  It's 10 minutes a day for 21 days. I can do that.  I don't really have a choice.  I have seen the toll that life and oxidative stress have taken on far too many and I cannot allow what I CAN control to sideline me.  God has a purpose for each of us, friends. If you're contending with stress and anxiety I urge you to take action. Today.  I'm here loving me.  And I'd love to help you love you.  A2

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