How to Cope with Stress

Imagine you lived ten-thousand years ago and were threatened by a saber-toothed tiger. You would have to be able to react instantly, either by or running away. This is how stress helped you. Today, all the saber-tooths are gone, but we still have stress.




Two-thirds of all visits to doctors are for stress-related problems like: fatigue, digestive upsets, headaches, back pain, colds, infection and increased blood pressure which can lead to stroke or heart attack.




Let's face it! We all have stress, but it's what we do about it that makes the difference. Finding way to reduce your stress is the key. Humor is important to release muscle tension and helps us maintain perspective in our life.



Meditation reduces heart rate, blood pressure and adrenaline levels. There is a saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff, it is all small stuff." The proper perspective helps us to understand that our stress is not unique and it cannot defeat us without our pemission.


Prayer for stress relief works also. It is communicating with God. Prayer changes the one doing the praying. It brings an understanding of our need for His grace. There is nothing in our lives that God doesn't know. So, we can be honest with ourselves and with Him. God has a clear understanding of who we are and He loves us anyway. Situations that cause stress in our life may not change instantly, but our attitude will make our life different.