Are You Draggin'?

Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but an encouraging word brings him joy.

Proverbs 12:25

When I talk with people, I usually will start with the simple question of "How are you doing?".  Now...chances are, when I ask that question, I am already aware that rainbows and unicorns aren't what you have in your life.  So if your answer is the cliche "I'm good", "Fine", "Okay", "I'm not unwell, thank you", or "Go away Padre", you are confirming to me the knowledge that there's something going on that you're holding in.

Stress and Anxiety are HEAVY burdens to tote around.  We don't like for people to know we are stressed about how we're going to make it from month to month.  We don't like people to know that we are uncertain of how to handle a situation we have encountered.  We don't like for people to know that our relationships are strained to the breaking point.  We don't like people to know.....  Why? Because if we admit that we are stressed or anxious, then we have to admit that we aren't as strong as we want others to see us as being.

Couple of things to understand about stress....if not resolved (we tend to push stress down and hope it will go away), stress will destroy you!  Plain and simple.  The other thing you need to know is that there is no quick fix for stress release.  Slapping a band-aid on a gunshot will not stop the problem, and neither will a simple chat.  

Here are some practical (actions you can take) to help you deal with stress:
     1.  Write it out!  Whatever is in you mind, write it down.  Doesn't have to make sense because you are giving your mind the voice to get the pieces out so they can eventually be processed.
     2.  Give yourself permission to feel overwhelmed.  Not while you are driving, but when you can have time to let it go.  You can cry, you can yell, you can throw pillows (so no walls get damaged), you can even just sit and think.
     3.  Talk with someone who can give you some perspective.  Understand, you aren't the first person to deal with stress and you won't be the last.
     4.  Ask yourself: "Is this issue worth stressing over?"  Most times, when we realize the true size of the issue, the answer is NO.  
     5.  Accept that there are those of us who want to help you release the stress!