Deadly Emotions

Live Healthy – Is Stress and Anxiety Taking You for a Ride on the Emotional Roller Coaster?

Live Healthy – Is Stress and Anxiety Taking You for a Ride on the Emotional Roller Coaster?

Find Out How Stress Affects More Than Your Moods!

Get off the emotional stress roller coasterLive healthy and stress less.

I know; much easier said than done in today’s busy world.

Are you stressed out these days?

Well you need to understand that worry and anxiety affects more than just our moods.

Truth is, even if we faithfully practice healthy habits like exercising and eating properly, the benefits we’ve gained from that will be thrown out the window if we let stress get the best of us!

The Stress Flare

How are your stress levels after you’ve had a long day at work and traffic on the freeway slows to a crawl? Or how about running late in the morning when getting the kids off to school because one unexpected thing after another continues to happen?

Listen, we’ve all been there as situations that are out of our control cause our tempers to flare and sometimes reach a boiling point. But what we need to be aware of is how this stress affects our body.

What happens in these stressful situations is that the body revs up production of a hormone called cortisol. Blood vessels constrict and divert the flow of blood from processes like digestion to the quick-acting muscles in the arms and legs, where an energy burst could be needed. The heart races to keep up with the frenzied motion, and the resulting hyper-alertness causes all sorts of anxiety.

We have to realize that even if we are health-conscious and go to great lengths to take care of our bodies, but we give stress, frustration, anger, worry, and anxiety the upper hand, we wipe out most of all the health benefits we have gained.

When we worry extensively, harbor bitterness, or give in to anger, these emotions pile stress on our immune system and weaken its ability to work properly. Stress is a key source for many ills such as: hypertension, elevated heart rate, headaches, and hormonal imbalances in the body.

Emotional Roller Coaster

Researchers are finding it more apparent that emotions are powerful forces within the human mind that clearly affect the body and soul. The proper adjustments in attitude can help prevent us from becoming unhealthy individuals.

Don Colbert, M.D., in his book Deadly Emotions, says that an emotional roller coaster saps a person physically and psychologically, which can leave both mind and body depleted of energy and strength. He also points out that medical studies indicate:

  •  The mind and body are linked, which means how you feel emotionally can impact how you feel physically.
  • Individuals who are fighting depression have an increased risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
  • Emotions such as anxiety and fear have been linked to heart palpitations, irritable bowel syndrome, tension headaches, and more.

Don’t Worry. Be Happy!

Negative emotions alter body chemistry and can be a force that affects us in many ways. For example, it can affect our ability to sleep and digest food.

When life’s pressures build, we tend to revert back to unhealthy habits and turn to junk food for comfort. And we have no problem justifying it because of the intense pressure at work or at home, in our relationships, or dealing with financial setbacks, etc.

Be aware though, that turning to a diet of comfort food, junky snacks, or gooey desserts is going backwards, not forward, on the road to healthy living. Instead of these rich foods taking your mind off your troubles, they can actually compound your difficulties and add even more emotional stress. Know this and strive to make the better choices even in the midst of your struggles.

“Have no anxiety about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:6-7

So, go ahead; don’t worry – be happy! In reality, worry and stress are symptoms of a lack of trust in our heavenly Father. We need to work on doing what Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34-35 to cure anxiety; which is to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.’

May you seek first the kingdom of God and let His peace keep your heart and mind as you enjoy a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you always –

Cheers,
Brenda

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