The Don’ts of Worry, Stress and Anxiety
By Josephine Barrozo-Sario
Do you still worry about the pandemic brought by the Corona Virus Disease? Has it stressed you for so long? Are you anxious about what’s coming up next? A “yes” answer for each question is a valid response, because for now we don’t have the means to really make the virus go away. Life has been difficult for most of us due to the pandemic. And so, here are a few don’ts that might make lives a little easier for us.
First, don’t worry about tomorrow. Worry is something that happens in the mind. It basically concerns having negative thoughts or uncertainty on results of things that may not actually happen. Therefore, to worry may probably be a complete waste of time and energy.
Matthew 6:34 writes, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (New Living Translation)
Did you notice what was written? It wrote, “don’t worry about tomorrow” and not simply “don’t worry”. This means you and I can worry. However, we don’t need to worry about tomorrow yet. Our concerns should be with what we have today and what is before us at the moment.
Next, don’t let stress bring you down. Stress is the natural response of a person to an external circumstance or change which poses a threat. When under stress, the body is activated and enabled to deal with the threat. As we deal with stress, it would be helpful to find what gives us joy.
The writer of Psalms 119:143 finds joy in God’s command, (“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.”, New Living Translation). But beyond a religious point of view, we can find joy in other things. Despite the pandemic, we may find joy in the togetherness of the family, or having good health, or keeping a job that provides for the needs of everyday life, or sharing to others the resources we have been blessed with in this difficult time. If only we look closely, it is not impossible to find sources of joy around us.
Lastly, don’t be anxious. “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25, New King James Version).
Anxiety is mental and bodily experiences. It involves much worry as well as stress which may lead to a mental illness that makes an individual constantly sad. The lack or loss of interest, or pleasure in life may also be present. Life seems to be worthless for someone who is anxious.
During an anxiety attack, don’t dwell in it. Help yourself and look for a distraction. It helps to listen to good music. Surely, the kind and encouraging words in a song can lift up the spirit.
Remember that the negativity which worry, stress and anxiety bring can be overcome. To some extent, they are actually helpful to make us change for the better. By addressing it accurately and timely, one becomes a problem-solver. Discovery of abilities and capabilities happen. And with determination, a healthier and improved version of “self” emerges.
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