I was going to discuss the environment and how it may play a part in our physical health, but I am still doing some research on that subject. I don't want to misrepresent any issues. So I decided to do this next segment on Stress. Something I think we are all too familiar with.
Are you stressed? How can something like stress affect us physically? Emotionally? What causes us stress and why do we allow it to take over our lives? Is stress contagious? How do we react to stress?
Here is what I have seen. I know people, that take stress and invite it in. They either "need" or feed off of the stress in their lives or perhaps they don't know how to deal with the stress; whatever the case may be they are stressed. Work related, family related, school related, it does not matter where it comes from, it's just there. Now of all of those people in my life who are know are inherently stressed, all of them have a health issues. I'm not talking cold or flu susceptible, I am talking, cancer, Chron's, auto-immune type issues. Big stuff. I am such an advocate for stress reduction in a person's life. perhaps I am just lucky I really ever let myself feel stress. Oh I used to, then one day I made a conscious decision not to "sweat the small stuff" as it were; (my kids would probably argue this point, as they are a daily cause of stress but being a parent comes with some stress, how you deal with it is the story here). I needed to change my way of thinking because I did not like how it made me feel. Tired, achy, lethargic, depressed, anxious; do any of those words invoke a warm fuzzy feeling? No! I eat more when I am stressed, I exercise/do less, I retreat my my "own little corner of my own little world", I am just not happy. I also know that when those folks who are stressed are around other people, I can see a change take place. Stress can be "contagious". There is no doubt in my mind that if one person is unhappy enough, then many around that one person become unhappy. I have seen it in action. I try very hard not to fall into that trap, that web of stress and discontent. Knowledge is power people. If unhappiness can spread than imagine what happiness can do! I will add here that I do try and help those who are stressed. I keep my voice and demeanor calm, I listen and talk to them, I try to get them to relax just a little, take a breath and get through it. Sometimes it works....sometimes it does not. Either way, I always try.
I have to tell you, I LIKE to be happy. In my mind, it takes way more energy to be unhappy and miserable and blue than it does to be happy and genuine and content. I am not saying "bounce off the wall", "always on the go" happy, just happy; at peace with oneself; genuinely in a good mood. Ask anyone that knows me.... I am a content low-maintenance person. I guess even if it's only in my own mind, it still works for me.
Everyone reacts differently to stress. I eat, others cry, some crash and burn, still others drink or smoke or abuse; any way you look at it, I am not sure of anyone who feels that stress is a positive force in their life. I do know a person or two who use what they think is stress to push themselves harder; to me if the action is to push yourself, and that may seem like a positive, stop and think about what it is really doing to your physical being. How does pushing yourself affect you emotionally? How does pushing yourself affect your family or personal or work life? I think we still get to the same conclusion, no good can come from stress or from pushing yourself because of stress.
Here's my homework for you....Find your happy! When something or someone puts you in over-load mode, stop and think about how significant it REALLY is. Is this moment in time, this miserable little piece of life going to change and shape your world forever? If the answer is "no", then get rid of it quick! Take ownership if you need to, do what you have to do and toss it away. Don't let it come back, don't allow it the opportunity to take control of your life. You should be in control, not your negative emotions or negative people or negative thoughts! If your answer is "yes", then get help! Don't take the weight of the world on your shoulders alone! Do your best to show others happiness, to feel the love. What a world this would be if we all could just relax a little. Relax and think about that for a little while; I guarantee you will feel so much better even if just for a moment.....Peace, love and happiness friends!
