The alarm goes off at 3:56am. Time to get up, shower, get dressed, and be out of the house by 4:45am so that you can clock in by 5:45am. The excitement of working a regular 8 hour shift quickly fades when you remember what bills you have waiting for your paycheck to be direct deposited. That eight hour work day quickly turns into a 16 hour work day.
The kids have a busy summer schedule at the same time but of course, not at the same place. And wouldn’t you believe it, the husband is leaving for a work conference.
The car broke down. The roof is leaking. The washing machine won spin. And now, the stove won’t heat up.
But you keep going! You keep pushing! You keep pressing! Taking it one day at a time. One issue at a time. Until...the days and issues have overtaken YOU!
Now, suddenly, you have headaches, stomach cramps, mood swings, and loss of appetite and you don’t know why.
It’s a pesky little thing called STRESS! Stress is the body’s physical and mental reaction to life experiences. If not careful, it can really make you sick. Fortunately, our bodies have a way of warning us when something is wrong. Stress can cause a multitude of issues, such as change in diet and attitude, mood swings, social withdrawal, and even more serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Crazy, right? The hustle and bustle of life can actually be life threatening. WOW!
There are ways to combat stress. Being around loved ones, exercising, meditating, or simply doing something that makes you happy.
In my opinion, one of the biggest ways you can fight stress is simply asking for help. I know! I know! Asking for help can be tough but do what you have to do before you can’t do it anymore! Reach out to someone. Talk to a doctor or trusted friend. And most importantly, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! It gives you warning signals when it’s time to take a break. Breathe, calm down, and relax. Don’t let things overtake you. When your body calls, answer it! You’ll be glad you did!
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