what's your worry?

I wasn't planning on writing a series of blogs, but I guess my mind has been travelling the same track for the past week or two, and I just want to share my thoughts with anyone who happens to be reading this.
I went to my last Brain and Behavior class today. We've covered a semester's worth of material in fourteen classes, and have the final exam tomorrow morning! Talk about overload! The last topic, what we discussed in about half an hour this morning, was on Stress and Health, and I want to just share some of my newfound knowledge with y'all (don't worry, I won't go into all the biological processes and other less-exciting details like that).

Stress:

• nonspecific response of the body to various demands. Stress is therefore subjective, to how the person perceives and responds to the demand placed upon him or her.

Benefits of short-term, acute stress:

• increased alertness
• boosts immune system
• concentration
• energy (as is evident during the last few hours of cramming right before an exam)

Negative results of long-term, chronic stress:

• depleted energy
• weakens immune system
• depressed or enhanced response to acute stress
• depression.

The environment which we Westerners have created for ourselves is actually detrimental to ourselves and our health, as it is filled with continuous stresses.

Stress and health are obviously connected. In order to avoid sickness, then, we need some effective ways of dealing with stress. Some things to focus on to stay well are:

• Personal appraisal: view the stressor as a challenge not a threat
• Personality type: Those who are easygoing, nondepressed, and optimistic often have a better time dealing with it than those who are hostile, depressed, and pessimistic
• Personal habits: It helps if you are nonsmoking, get regular exercise, and maintain good nutrition instead of smoking, being sedentary, and having poor nutrition
• Level of social support: This is the most important of all, as it is crucial to have close, enduring relationships when facing stress, which is counter to our individualistic culture, especially for men who are supposed to be 'tough' and 'lone rangers'

Another point which my professor, Dr. Looy, stressed, was to listen to your body's cues when it is getting sick, which will tell you to slow down and get lots of rest.

I just returned from a meeting which had stressed me whenever I saw it approaching on the calendar. My boss wanted to talk to me about the days I'd requested off this summer to traverse North America to attend a few weddings. I have heard nothing good about this boss, and lately word at the pool is that she's trying to weed out all weak staff as another pool will be closing down leaving many experienced guards in search of jobs. Needless to say, I was very intimidated by the prospect of meeting with her. As the meeting reared its seemingly ugly head nearer and nearer, comments people made and thoughts God gave reminded me to turn to Him. This could be an opportunity to get to know her a little better, and maybe even brighten her day a little. I'm not sure if it ended up doing just that, but as I got to the meeting, dripping wet from my walk in the rain, the Spirit just kept reminding me to listen not defend, and to enjoy the conversation. I'm not sure if I'll get all the days I'm hoping for off this summer, but it ended up being a good meeting of clarifying expectations, and we were even able to laugh a little together. That was just another experience which, in retrospect, teaches me the truth in Jesus' words when he said:

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life---whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? . . . . So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Fahter already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:25-34, NLT).

Enjoy the peace of God!