Debunking 5 Myths about Stress
Today we’re gonna debunk 5 myths about stress.
I’m Angela Howard and my passion is to break the stigma of mental health issues among fellow Christians. If you’re new to my channel please subscribe and don’t forget to click on that notifications bell so you don’t miss out on any of the new content.
Everyone talks about stress or at the very least thinks about it. But as much as we are all dealing with it, we may be misunderstanding the truth about stress and how it impacts our physical and mental health.
Myth #1: It’s not a big deal if you don’t have major symptoms.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. The early symptoms are like a smoke detector that can save your life. Stomach aches, acid reflux, headaches, or difficulty sleeping may start out as minor stress symptoms, but if they’re left unchecked they can lead to major symptoms like heart disease.
Myth #2: Stress is a fact of life, there’s nothing I can do about it.
This is a hopeless way of looking at life. You can decrease stress by saying no to extra commitments and living life with more margin. You can also decrease stress by planning and being clear about priorities. This enables you to have clear guidelines for what you put on your schedule and prevents you from missing out on the best by settling for the good.
Myth #3: Stress comes from situations in my life.
This one actually sounds really true. But if you dig a little deeper you’ll see it doesn’t hold up. Each individual can respond differently to the same situation. For instance—“There’s a big storm coming, and we might lose power.” This can mean an adventure to one person, and a catastrophe to another. It actually matters we THINK about our circumstances. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.”
Myth #4: Stress symptoms are obvious and pretty much the same for everyone.
No two people handle stress in the exact same way. Sometimes people tell jokes in the middle of stressful situations. Some people shut down. Others react physically. While others respond with high levels of emotion. At times people can seem virtually unaffected, only to breakdown at a later time. There’s no one right way to handle stress.
Myth #5: Everyone will be helped by deep breathing techniques.
If deep breathing hasn’t worked well, don’t beat yourself up. I would encourage you to connect with a counselor who specializes in treating stress. We are all unique and need to realize that there are many ways we can reach the same goal.
Remember, we’re not on our own. God is with us through every stress and difficulty we encounter. Proverbs 19:21 says…
Scripture
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Question:
What myths would you add to the list? I’d love to hear from you today, comment below.
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