I have been talking to people about stress and anxiety a lot lately. The lock down restrictions and the constant fear generated by governments and the media leave people fearful of their own health and those of loved ones they are not allowed to visit.

We are created to cope with life threatening emergencies. When confronted with a tiger in the wild, our bodies are flooded with chemicals that enable us to either run at exceptional speed or to wrestle that tiger and win. This is the so-called “fight or flight” response.

Right now the threat is always with us, even if we can’t see it, and people around us are constantly telling us the tiger is there. We experience long term stress and anxiety that our bodies and souls are not created to endure. That means we can become physically ill and emotionally unbalanced.

We need to deal with physical stress by exercising more. Your body is generating lots of energy so you need to use it. Be careful with what you eat. Your body may crave sugar and caffeine to fuel the fight or flight response, but you won’t be running from any tiger. I deal with stress by compulsive eating. I love comfort foods like chocolate, and I have to constantly tell myself to stay out of the fridge. It’s hard!

Try to avoid foods that contain sugar. Cut back your caffeine intake. I have been finding linden tea is great to reduce stress. It reportedly calms the brain and the body. Magnesium supplements and natural stress reducing products can also help.

We can deal with emotional stress by reaching out to people. Go for a walk with a friend. Phone that person you can’t visit. I notice that I laugh a lot more when I ring people than when I am just at home, so that has to be good.

Don’t overlook the spiritual part. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus told us not to stress about what to eat or drink or wear. “You can’t add a day to your life by worrying. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek God’s Kingdom and He will supply everything else.” (Matthew 6:25-34)

One favourite scripture reading lately has been Pslam 91:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

Stress is always with us, but we can take small steps to be happy in the midst of it all.