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Shoutout and thank you to my friend Gina M. Poirier for this guest post today! This woman is a total superhero, and here’s why: she’s a disciple of Jesus, wife, mom to three kiddos, soon-to-be adopted mom, homeschool teacher, and blogger. And she just recently received her certification as a stress management coach.
So, as you might imagine, she has some experience with stress, both as a point of study and personally. I’ll let her introduce herself a bit more in this post, though.
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I remember it like it was yesterday: I had a five-month-old baby on my hip; my phone was balanced on my opposite shoulder; I was trying to put clothes away. It was just another day in my crazy-busy life, and I was powering through like a champ (or so I thought).
But while the phone call went on, I had the urge to set everything down. My upper back and shoulders HURT. All I wanted to do was lie down.
I thought I’d feel better in the morning. Little did I know that I wouldn’t feel better for years.
Many months and appointments later, my back still hurt. I couldn’t lift my baby anymore. I got some relief from physical therapy, chiropractic appointments and lots of ice and ibuprofen. But even with the treatments, the pain just wouldn’t go away.
The strange thing was, nothing was technically “wrong.” I hadn’t undergone trauma. My x-rays were fine. It wasn’t until much later, after I started cutting back a lot of the excess in my life and prioritized self-care, that I finally identified and admitted what the primary culprit was.
Stress.
If only I had known how to treat this condition from the beginning. I would have saved thousands of dollars and countless hours of my time.
I haven’t been to the doctor for back pain in over two years. Every now and then it will flare up, but I interpret it as a sign I’m pushing myself too hard. And I know exactly what to do so that it doesn’t get worse.
Did you know that stress is a factor in at least 75 percent of all doctors’ visits? And yet the only thing that many of us are prescribed are a sympathetic nod and perhaps a pamphlet with a few tips on stress management.
Stress is a sneaky culprit because it’s not a disease. As I like to talk about a lot, the stress response was designed by our Creator for our good, to protect us and help us grow.
But in a fast-paced modern world, so many of us suffer from chronic stress that has blown out of control, and we don’t know what to do about it.
Stress affects every system of your body. Do you suffer from any of the following?
- Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders: that’s what happened to me. It can pull your whole body out of whack
- Poor digestion: this can lead to all sorts of complications, including being unable to absorb nutrients, excess gas and bloating, ulcers, appetite and metabolism issues, and irritable bowel syndrome
- Hypertension and other heart-related issues, which will ultimately shorten your life
- Weakened immunity and susceptibility to disease—including cancer
- Skin conditions including acne and rashes
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders
- Mental health issues including anxiety disorders and depression
- Chronic headaches, including migraines
- An inability to focus, or mental fog
- Fatigue
These are signs your stress might be out of control. And unless you do something different, chances are you’re probably not going to get better.
The more I learn, the more convinced I am that stress is a issue we can’t keep ignoring if we want to live a happy, healthy lives.
So what about you? Is stress affecting your health in ways you’re not even aware of? If you’re not sure, I encourage you to take this quick survey as a self-diagnostic tool.
If you want your life to look different, I’m going to offer you one better than a pretty pamphlet. I invite you to join Chaos to Calm.
This one-of-a-kind course is a step-by-step system that will give you the tools you need to manage stress, with a biblical foundation.
Imagine how your life would change with:
- Getting sick less often (and fewer prescriptions and doctors’ visits!)
- Sleeping better at night and feeling energized all day long without needing caffeine or sugar
- Feeling happier and laughing more, instead of frequently irritable or worried
- Fewer “mommy brain moments” and greater capacity to focus your attention on what’s important
We’re all going to have good days and bad days, because life is stressful. But if you’re finding that you’re having a lot more tough days than good ones, I encourage you to take an honest look at your life right now and consider if you need to change.
I know I did.
Biblical stress management changed my life and that of my students. I am praying that, if this is what you need, you’ll make the choice that could change yours too.
Find the course here. (Jenn’s note: Enrollment closes May 23, so do it sooner rather than later!)
Cheering you on,
Gina
Gina is a happily married mom of three, stress management coach and writer who helps overwhelmed, exhausted moms find peace and purpose in the everyday. Check out free resources for Christian moms at ginampoirier.com, where “Wiping noses for Jesus is legit!”
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Did I tell you? She knows what she’s talking about. Not only am I sharing her class with you, but I’m also in the process of taking it.
Honestly when I got the memo about the class, I thought, “I need life to calm down just so I can TAKE this class!!” And yes, I’m taking my time getting through it. But this class is not like any you’ve ever taken. Not only is it practical (see all the info above), and personal (again, see above). But Gina also incorporates a biblical perspective that you won’t find anywhere else when it comes to stress. You will leave with perspective, and a plan, but with hope as well.
Looking to dip your feet a little before you dive in? Check out a couple of these free resources:
StressLESS: A 5-day email course
Take a Deep Breath: A video series
Any questions about the course? Send me an email.
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