I'm excited to see how many people click on this post. What an ambiguous title!
//DISCLAIMER//
This blog post is not going to solve all your problems.
There. I hope that's clear.
You know that I'm only sharing my thoughts, ideas, practices and interests here. Below are some things I do when I notice something's not right. Today, the thing that made me realize something was off is that I'm finding myself dreading Monday, which is tomorrow, and also being around people.
I noticed this weekend that I've been isolating: not going to the gym or even grocery shopping because of there being too many people, and not wanting to go to my good friend's going away party. I was wanting to snack more than I should and I am craving alcohol. I've never had a problem with alcohol, so immediately I knew something was very wrong.
Aha! There's something. As I traced through my mental list, I saw a trigger: My dear friend is moving away. I knew there was more going on than just that, so I stepped away from the fridge, (and am congratulating myself, as that is a huge victory in itself...), and sat down to explore what's really going on.
(Note: Here's where I pull out the Bible. If you don't yet follow Jesus, that's fine, you can skip this, and read the rest, below, but please know, I would have long since committed suicide if not for Jesus, if so for no other reason than getting to know me better, it might be polite for you to ready the Jesus-y, Bible-y part of this post...)
In the book of Isaiah, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6) It's often on Christmas cards, and (flashback to my days as a choral singer) it's the theme of one of Handel's most beautiful pieces, The Messiah.
Basically, if I follow Jesus, so when I notice I'm feeling anxious about something, it means I've lost my peace, and I've allowed circumstances, people, or something else affect my state of wellbeing. As someone who has had a life-long struggle with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and ensuing addictive behaviors, and as someone who is currently walking free of those things, I not only believe I have something credible to say on such matters, I am also able to keenly recognize when my body, thoughts, or emotions are not in alignment.
So now, yes, I pray, but I also ask Holy Spirit to help me identify if there is anything else that is wrong. Cool thing is, Jesus is also referred to as Wonderful Counselor in Isaiah 9:7, and He said Holy Spirit was Counselor, too (John 14:25-31), in the same breath He said that He left us His peace...Yay!
So yes, this is very good news, but I still want sugar, and I'm still sad that my friend is leaving, and as I begin to ask Holy Spirit why else I'm feeling anxious, I realize it's because I have a very hectic work schedule ahead of me, I'm late on some work projects, my bank balance is less than perfect, I'm looking for housing for the coming school year, and some of my friends and family members are unwell and going through hard times, and I've taken that on, too...and so on...
Thank GOD for Holy Spirit. :-) I know I need to take a step back, and start to do three things.
Step 1. Start being thankful.
This is a POWERFUL tool, for many reasons. But this one tool helped me get through many serious bouts of depression. More on being thankful in a later post.
Step 2
Refrain from introspection. Once you've identified a list of things that are making you crazy, stop. This is a very important step, especially for people who tend to be more introspective, or whose self-esteem is not where it should be. Speaking from experience, becoming overly introspective can lead to harmful thoughts about yourself, as well as to self-harming behaviors.
Step 3
Slow down. Take a nap. Make it a point to go to bed early. I know it's hard.
Have a cup or coffee or tea. (I am a wellness professional, but I drink coffee and tea and I enjoy it. Even when it's 110 degrees outside...like today...right now.) I will often drink some coffee and then nap for about 30 minutes, which is about the time it takes for the caffeine to take effect.
One of the greatest triggers of stress, anxiety, and overall poor wellbeing is lack of sleep...
I will write more on this tomorrow, because I have a feeling it's more important than I realize...
I want to be very clear that if you are really struggling and hurting, there is grace for you. If you're not following Jesus, know He will help you. Just ask to feel His presence, and for Him to help you, and He will! Trust me.
That said, as firm a believer as I am in supernatural healing, and the importance of living a healthy, self-loving lifestyle, I'm an equally firm believer that there is a place for medical help. If you have access to medical care, see a doctor. Sometimes you need medicine to get better. At twenty-one, I did. I also had the best therapist on the face of planet Earth, and he saved my life. He absolutely did not and does not follow Jesus, so to my Jesus-following readers, go to the doctor, for Heaven's sake, and look into good therapists, regardless of their beliefs.
[steps politely off of soapbox]
This is a long one, folks. Sorry.
I am so looking forward to writing more on this in the days to come.
Hugs, cheers and peace,
xoxo
Amie
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