Health & Today s Busy Woman

By Dr. Vanessa Williams-Cook

Adapted from: Putting Stress in Its Place from Rebirth Magazineand It’s Time to Declutter from Beautycents 2017

Today’s women are faced numerous challenges be it in world every 2 seconds. According to the American

health, career, family, ministry, you name it, there’s a Psychological Association in 2012 Women continue to challenge for it. One of the number one factors we report higher stress levels than men (5.3 vs. 4.6 on a face is stress. Then I read an article about decluttering 10-point scale where 1 is “little or no stress” and 10 is our lives for the new season we are walking into. “a great deal of stress”). Both genders agree, however, When it comes to health and wellness for today’s ca- that 3.6 is a healthy level of stress, pushing women reer woman these are two of the most crucial factors. nearly two points beyond the level of stress they beDecluttering our lives and putting stress in its place will lieve to be healthy. More women report experiencing increase heart health, and mental health, making for extreme stress than men. Twenty-three percent of less chaos in the home, in the spirit, in the workplace, women report their stress level at an 8, 9 or 10 on a 10 and in the mind. -point scale, compared to 16 percent of men. What’s According to Ayo Thomas, Founder of WOE (Women more, women are more likely than men to say their Own Excellence) Magazine, “to declutter means to re- stress is on the rise. More women say their stress levmove unnecessary items from an untidy and over- els have increased in the past five years (43 percent vs. crowded place. This process may include renegoti- 33 percent of men) and in the past year alone (38 perating terms of relationships, letting go of baggage or cent vs. 32 percent of men. How you handle stress eliminating negative people from your life.” This is makes a significant difference in how you feel. It might one of the first steps in removing toxicity from your even help your blood pressure, blood sugar level, and life. She also writes that “When your mind or personal the rest of you. Use these calming strategies to stop life is full of clutter, you can expect stress to be some- stress ASAP. where creeping around the corner looking for an op- So here you can see that clutter and stress are sisters. portunity to take you out.” This includes the list of Where there is one, the other is also. I have put tothings to do, people to see, places to go, toxic relation- gether some tips that will help you in your journey for ships, and daily busyness which makes way for the en- optimum health, stress free living, and steps to bring emy to creep in and overwhelm us. you closer to your divinely ordained success. As we Make no mistake about it. Stress is real. Research strive to maintain and move forward through dimenshows that 110,000,000 (110 million) people die annu- sional transformation it is imperative that we employ ally due to stress. That is 7 people all around the

of transformation. Rest assured another transition is on the way, however the techniques learned in our current state ill guarantee success in the NEW NEXT. Thomas and the article Putting Stress in its Place from Rebirth Magazine 2017 these tips should help you in achieving success in every area of life. Get Outside how you feel. Smile Like You Mean It heart rates faster once your stressful situation ends. Focus Put multi-tasking to rest. Focus on doing one thing this season. You will be better prepared and accomplish more. Break Out the Bubble Gum stick of gum. According to studies, chewing gum lowers anxiety and eases stress. Some researchers think help you relax around your eyes as well as your mouth

Using tips from the article It’s Time to Declutterby Ayo 6-Month Rule

– reduces your body’s stress responses, even if you don’t feel happy.

If you haven’t used it in six months, throw it out. This applies both professional and personally. Update files every 6 months. As an entrepreneur branding is esSpending time outdoors, even close to home, is linked of other entrepreneurs. You may need to revisit your to better well-being. You're in a natural setting, and brand to make sure that it is cutting edge to give you a you're usually doing something active, like walking or sharp, sleek, and unique display. For those of you that hiking. Even a few minutes can make a difference in love collecting those conference bags of goodies to

Don’t roll your eyes the next time someone advises learned, you need to clear that mental space, thereby you to “grin and bear it.” In times of tension, keeping uncluttering the creative process as you grow in busia smile on your face – especially a genuine smile that’s ness. In the home, children are constantly growing. formed by the muscles will help to relieve pressure Adults are constantly changing. Holding onto unnecesand even ease headaches. Smiling also helps lower sary items for more than six months will create

efficiently and proficiently at a time. Focus on items Certain scents like lavender may soothe. In one study, you need to complete now. Prioritizing is essentially in nurses who pinned small vials of lavender oil to their sential as you look to gain visibility in the hodgepodge include informational manuals, if you have not implemented it or tried to use at least 20% of what you “environmental havoc” in your home and personal space. Sniff Some Lavender—

clothes felt their stress ease, while nurses who didn’t

of some painkillers and anti-anxiety medications, so if Next time you’re at the end of your rope, unwrap a you’re taking either, check with your doctor before

felt more stressed. Lavender may intensify the effect use.

Tune In— the rhythmic act of chewing may improve blood flow Heading into a stressful situation? Music can help you

calm down. In one study, people ourselves isn’t so nice. Staying posihad lower levels of the stress horwas, music fans? Try Miserereby mental hymns from Maranatha. Reboot Your Breath— from negative thoughts. Sit comleast 10 minutes. Be Kind to Yourself— We all have a constant stream of tive and using compassionate selfWrite Your Stress Awayon paper gives you an avenue of from suffering OVERLOAD, and reduces forgetfulness. Tell a Friend—

loved one. Have a friend who’s dealing with the same worries as mone cortisol when they listened talk will help you calm down and you? Even more reason to open to a recording of Latin choral music get a better grip on the situation. up. You'll both feel less alone. before doing something stressful Talk to yourself in the same gentle, Get Moving—

(like doing math out loud or giving encouraging way you’d help a When you work up a sweat, you a speech) than when they listened friend in need. “Everything will be improve your mood, clear your to a recording of rippling water. OK,” for instance, or "I'll figure out head, and take a break from what(Wondering what that choral piece how to handle this."

ever is stressing you out. Whether

Gregorio Allegri.), Antonio Vivaldi’s Writing will help you to resolve workout at the gym, you’ll feel upSeasons, or try listening to instru- your issues. Putting your thoughts lifted afterward. you like a long walk or an intense

release, and enable you to picture The number one way to unplug and Feeling less stressed is as close as the resolution as you think through relieve stress of any kind, is to your next breath. Focusing on your the resolution. It doesn’t matter spend quiet time praying and medibreath curbs your body’s “fight or whether you prefer pen and noteflight” reaction to pressure or fear, book, a phone app, or a file on your cus on certain Scriptures that are

and it pulls your attention away laptop. The important thing is that sure to relieve stress, such as: Isaiyou’re honest about your feelings. ah 26:3; John 14:7; 16:33; Proverbs fortably in a quiet place. Breathe in This is also a good place to practice 3:5-6; 16:7; and Philippians 4:6-7 slowly through your nose, letting “dumping the brain.” Find a way to are just to start with. your chest and lower belly rise and jot down important information your abdomen expand. Breathe out such as appointments, birthdays, things from the most prolific writer just as slowly, repeating a word or phone numbers, daily tasks, special of the New Testament-Paul I Thesphrase that helps you relax. To gift ideas Something you don’t do salonians 5:17, 18 Pray without reap the most benefit, repeat for at every day). This keeps you brain ceasing. Give thanks in every cirPrayer & Meditation— tating upon the Word of God. FoAlways remember these two

cumstance, for this is God’s will for

you in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:10

-12 Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord thoughts running through our When you’re feeling overwhelmed, that at last you have revived your

heads, and sometimes what we tell seek out the company of a friend or concern for me. You were indeed