Combatting the Effects of Chronic Stress

Photo credit: Alexas Fotos

Dealing with stress is unavoidable in life and actually is needed to help us grow and mature. When managed well, it can be a change agent for the better. But sometimes, we are faced with situations that never seem to change. This can lead to living in a state of chronic stress. And when we find this to be the case, our bodies can only hold up for so long.

The Cleveland Clinic defines stress on 3 different levels:

• Acute stress: Acute stress is short-term stress that comes and goes quickly. It can be positive or negative. It’s the feeling you get when you’re riding on a rollercoaster or having a fight with your boyfriend. Everyone experiences acute stress from time to time. It is a common occurrence.

• Episodic acute stress: Episodic acute stress is when you experience acute stress on a regular basis. With this kind of stress, you don’t ever get the time you need to return to a calm, relaxed state. Episodic stress frequently affects people working in certain professions, like healthcare providers.

• Chronic stress: Chronic stress is long-term stress that goes on for weeks or months. You may experience chronic stress due to marriage troubles, issues at work, or financial problems. It’s important to find ways to manage chronic stress because it can lead to serious health issues.

Your autonomic nervous system not only keeps you breathing and blood pumping through your veins, it also regulates your responses to stress. If you live in a continual state of fight or flight, your body will begin to break down. This can show up as physical symptoms and/or mental health or behavioral issues.

Combatting the effects of chronic stress is at the heart of everything we do at Jubilee Seasons. Ultimately, it is the peace of God (shalom) that we must learn to receive and cultivate in our lives in order to be healed from the often debilitating effects of chronic stress.

For those who struggle in this area, the Christmas season can seem to exacerbate the issue. However, we can learn to be gentle with ourselves as we navigate through it all. And, we can make a point to enjoy ourselves in the process. Our bodies actually respond for the better when we feel safe and allow ourselves to laugh.

(Excerpt from Jubilee Seasons Magazine, December 2024 Edition)