Amongst all the good things happening, there’s been a lot of stress lately and even though I don’t seem stressed or even think I am stressed, my body definitely feels it.
I also tend to internalize it while I focus on the blessings. I’m not ignoring the challenges going on… I am trying to maintain my peace, leaning on God, taking the steps forward. I know He will and is providing, but I’m not gonna lie when I say it’s challenging when everything is coming at you at once, particularly financially. It’s requiring a lot of faith.
It’s amazing how our bodies work and respond to stress physically. Sustained stress (increased cortisol) is not good; it’s not heathy and I know that. (more on that another time)
Add to that not getting enough sleep due a crazy working, homeschool mom schedule, deadlines, extra of everything and the immune system suffers…. Even with proper supplementation.
Well… I have slacked on one of them because I thought I was not needing it and it turns out my body does need it for supporting my body’s physiological responses to everyday stress…. So I took one this morning.
Yet supplements are not the only thing we need for managing our body’s stress. It’s also a mindset and the thoughts that we are thinking or the things we’re holding in, but not expressing or afraid to express. Our thoughts do affect us. It’s why the bible says to guard our minds. I realize as I sit here on my own that there are some things I’m not expressing for one reason or another.
Result… My body’s response to stress gives me a tightness in my shoulders, lack of appetite and/or or craving bad things/sugar, and a disregulated immune response. I know this pattern all too well so I ought go know how to prevent it.
My headache and coughing is why I was watching church from home today instead of being there with my family.
Jeff Skinner (of Grace at Fort Clarke Church in Gainesville) preached the message and it was about loving God, loving our neighbor and loving ourselves because if we are to love others AS ourselves, we need to love ourselves.
Lately I’m not taking the advice that I give so many others because I am so busy focused on others. I am not loving myself with the things I need to take and the sleep I need to get. How many of us can relate to that? Knowing all the right things to do and yet ignoring our needs in the hustle bustle.
I know I’m not alone because a friend of mine posted something similar earlier this week. Oh how I relate to her.
Please don’t take sleep, supplements, mindset and overall self-care for granted. We cannot pour from and empty cup.
Love you all.
