Cultivating Balance and Wellbeing in a Stressful World

Hello, I’m Dr. Victoria Smithers, a Family Medicine Doctor at Harbor Heights Family Medicine, located just outside of Dallas, TX. Cultivating balance and wellbeing in a stressful world is a part of my daily life as I deal with patients as they navigate life. Let’s talk about the impact of stress and ways that you can reduce the amount of stress in your life.

The Impact of Stress on Our Lives

Life presents everyone with various challenges, and pain, loss, and tragedy are common experiences for many. These life events can cause stress, potentially leading to mental illness and other health issues. Since 1999, I have been in private practice, frequently encountering patients who suffer from stress-related illnesses, anxiety, generalized stress, PTSD, and disorders such as panic attacks and insomnia.

Understanding Stress and Anxiety

Stress is our body’s response to demands or threats that disrupt our normal balance. As stress accumulates, it can affect our health, causing issues like headaches, indigestion, and palpitations. In more severe cases, chronic stress can lead to panic attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, insomnia, and other mental health issues.

Coping and Overcoming Stressful Times in our World

Coping with stress involves managing the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. When stress becomes chronic, these hormones can negatively affect various body systems, potentially leading to severe health problems such as heart disease, ulcers, hypertension, and mental health issues.

10 Simple Steps to Lower Your Stress

  1. Spend time with family and friends: Nurture your personal relationships, which can significantly contribute to your overall happiness.
  2. Exercise regularly: Engage in light to moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, five days a week, and consider incorporating yoga or meditation into your routine.
  3. Simplify your life: Avoid overextending yourself, and create space for self-care activities like exercise and meditation.
  4. Focus on accomplishments: Stay positive and encourage yourself by celebrating achievements rather than dwelling on missed opportunities.
  5. Don’t dwell on problems: Develop resilience by finding something positive in challenging situations.
  6. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy foods: Limit your consumption of caffeine, high-fat foods, and processed foods, which can worsen your mood and fatigue.
  7. Meditate and pray: Find quiet time to connect with your spiritual side, focus on the present moment, and decrease your stress levels.
  8. Laugh more: Use humor as a way to lower stress and improve overall wellbeing.
  9. Serve others: Engage in volunteer work, mission projects, and community service to find purpose and reduce stress.
  10. Spend time in nature: Reconnect with the Earth and appreciate the natural beauty around you to lower stress and enhance your connection to the world.

Cultivating Balance and Wellbeing in a Stressful World

These ten simple steps can help you reduce stress and improve your overall health and happiness. I offer a faith-based workshop called ‘Rock Solid’ that focuses on living a Christ-centered life and providing a step-by-step approach for coping with conflict and life crises. If you’re interested in learning more, please email me at vicki@countingstarsranch.com.

If you would like to know Jesus Christ the way I do, please watch the video below and then connect with us if you feel like you want to. God loves you and we care. You matter and there is hope for you in Christ Jesus our Savior.

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

GREAT NEWS

Watch this video!

If this video connected with you in some way, and you’d like to find out more about having a relationship with God and how His forgiveness and grace applies to you, a great place to start is praying the prayer below. The words themselves aren’t magic, but if you earnestly pray them and mean them, God will hear you! He’ll help you in ways you don’t understand, and we’ll help you find support and next steps.

The Prayer

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray,

Did you pray this prayer?

So Now What?

If you really meant that prayer, the next step is to get you connected with other Christ-followers near you so you can grow, learn and become stronger in your faith.

Click the CONNECT NOW button below to find a group of believers who can help you establish that relationship with God that you’ve only just begun.

God loves you – specifically you! And because He does, you have a bright future! Trust Him to help you find it.

anxiety, depression, hope, worry

Connect with Other Believers

Take the next step and get to know others just like you who are looking for real answers. You will find amazing support and community, and answers to questions you may have not even thought to ask!

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We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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