Personal Development

Stress is difficult not to experience. It is the innate ability of our bodies to recognize danger and react to it by running away or preparing to fight. However, we no longer need to worry about hungry animals chasing after us for their dinner. Still, we must manage stress from other stressors like mortgage payments, rent, utilities, grocery prices, transportation issues, and work problems. How can we balance family life with other stressors when the child-rearing season is a stressor? Find ways to manage stress as a family instead of trying to do it alone. It is time to combine relaxation with quality family time. There are ways to manage stress and balance family, and a Christian counselor can help you learn them. Effects of chronic stress Stress raises cortisol in the body and creates a cascade of adverse effects. The following are common symptoms of chronic stress: Rapid heart rate Increased blood pressure Changes in appetite Rapid changes in weight Gastrointestinal issues Susceptible to illness and viruses Sleep problems Anxiety Depression Headaches Chronic inflammation Hormone imbalance Heart attack Stroke Diabetes Memory problems Panic attacks Unexplained aches and pains Chronic stress causes physical, emotional, and mental problems. If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, check with your primary doctor to rule out any medical conditions. A counselor can also help you narrow down the source of your stress and offer suggestions on minimizing the impact on your health. We often forget to lean on God when we feel our worries and fears suffocate us. But God should be our first line of defense. The Bible commands us not to fear. The most spiritual beneficial activity you can engage in with your family is reading the Bible together. Spending a few minutes daily as a family to pray, [...]

If you’ve ever thought about going for counseling, here’s a list of eight vital things to know about therapy: 1. Therapy actually IS for everyone. Therapy tends to have a stigma to it. Just the word may cripple some. It is, at times, associated with being crazy or weak. You may even be tempted to believe you can handle your issues yourself and feel that’s a strength. Nothing could be further from the truth, however. Generally, it is a matter of pride that gets in the way. Pride detours us from getting the help we really need. Therapy is beneficial for every individual because none of us are perfect so we can all use help at some point within our lives. We don’t always have the strength or the answers but still, we try to bear our burdens alone and that’s a difficult thing to do. We’re all imperfect. That is our humanity. Erving Polster put it well when he said that therapy is a thing that’s too good for it to be available only for the sick. 2. It is a therapist’s duty to educate clients on what’s healthy mentally rather than to pick sides. Many people find it a strange concept to talk to a total stranger about their deep secrets and their feelings as well. That’s totally understandable. You may be wondering about the benefits of being in counseling. There is a myriad of them. First and foremost, a counselor is trained and is a professional with a non-partial outlook. A therapist doesn’t judge or try to decide who’s good or bad. They are there to help, period the end. They want to see you become mentally and emotionally healthy and that is why they have chosen to be in the counseling field. A counselor’s ultimate [...]