I recently considered pursuing a job that would require 60 - 80% travel. It sounded exciting to me since I love to travel, even to small "po-dunk" towns around the country. A close friend reminded me of his life -- traveling 60 - 80% of the time and the problems it can cause. He make me think about the importance of home.
The devotional is about longing for home -- our heavenly home. Looking forward to our eternal home with Christ is something I don't always think about. God has been talking to me lately about longing for home and the coming of Christ. I am reminded of the BJ Thomas song "Home Where I Belong". Longing for home today? Think and pray for those who truly long for home.
Lord, thank you for the promise of our eternal home with you.
Wellness Wednesday
Quick Stress relief
Here are eight quick stress relief tips:
Quick Body Scan
To help quiet your mind and boost awareness of the sensations in your body, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Start by drawing your attention to different parts of your physical body, and checking in with how they feel. You can begin at the feet and work your way up to the head, noticing and releasing any tension as you go.
Email Meditation
From this web site, consider saying this brief meditation when you click the Send button.
Listen To Nature Sounds
According to Dr. Kathleen Hall, stress expert and founder of the Mindful Living Network, nature sounds can do wonders to reduce stress. Hall recommends sitting quietly for one to three minutes and listening to the sounds of natural landscapes, like oceans, rainforests or brooks.
Laugh
Even if it doesn't feel natural at first, making time for a quick laugh -- whether it's by watching a silly animal video or reminding yourself of a funny joke -- can help bust you out of a stressful headspace.
Deep Breathing
Breathly deeply in and out for just one minute can help to refresh your mind and reset your body. Harvard University research in the 1970s conducted by Dr. Herbert Benson found that short periods of meditation that focused on the breath had the power to alter the body's stress responses, activating the "relaxation response." Find a quiet place to sit for one minute, focusing on breathing deeply in and out and letting go of distracting thoughts.
Essential Oils
The part of the brain that processes smells is located in close proximity to that which governs emotion and memory, so scent can be a powerful way to induce pleasant emotions and calm the mind.
Neck & Shoulder Massage
Help soothe tense muscles in the neck and shoulders (also known as the "stress triangle") by giving yourself a brief massage. But make sure it's not a mindless massage while staring at the computer -- for the full de-stressing benefits, stop what you're doing and bring mindful awareness to the muscle tension you feel, as well as the release of that tension
Dance
The free motion and stretching movements of dance can help to release tension from the body and lift your spirits. Exercise in any form can act as a stress reliever by pumping up endorphins, according to the Mayo Clinic, and dancing can be a particularly enjoyable way to blow off steam for many people. Put a favorite song on your headphones, step away from the computer, and let loose for a minute -- it's almost guaranteed to boost your mood.
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
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