1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:08,879 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 2: Hi friends, my name is Bonnie Gray. I'm the host 3 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 2: of Breathe the stress Less Podcast and I'm the author 4 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 2: of a new book, Breathe twenty one Days to Stressless 5 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 2: and Transform Chaos to Calm. If I were to ask 6 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 2: you which area of wellness you are missing the most, 7 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 2: would it be emotional wellness, physical wellness, spiritual wellness or 8 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 2: social wellness. I'm a sole care coach. I'm helping thousands 9 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 2: of women weekly to flourish in wellness and I'm so 10 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 2: grateful to share an important episode of my podcast with 11 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 2: you today to help you break free from stress, worry, 12 00:00:54,440 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 2: and anxiety with God's peace and joy. 13 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: Hi friends, welcome to Breathe the Stressless Podcast. I'm Bonnie Gray. 14 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: You're a soul care guide for this time where you 15 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 1: will receive a powerful promise from God to breathe in 16 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: to refresh your spirit. You'll also receive a soul care tip. 17 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: This is a practical action you can take to lower stress, 18 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 1: and you'll also breathe out a prayer that will help 19 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 1: calm your body and emotions. For those moments when you 20 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:43,320 Speaker 1: want to stop the stress. What do you find is 21 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 1: your go to response? There are four different ways that 22 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: we tend to respond to stress, and today we're going 23 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: to talk about how we usually respond to stress, what 24 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: are the automatic responses, and what's one thing we can 25 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 1: do to stop the stress. In my work and ministry, 26 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: as a soul care coach, I help women to flourish 27 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 1: in their wellness emotional wellness, spiritual wellness, physical wellness, and 28 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:17,240 Speaker 1: social wellness. If I were to ask you which area 29 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: of wellness are you missing the most? Which area would 30 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: that be for you? I want you to take my 31 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 1: soul care quiz. It's solecarequiz dot com. When you go 32 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: to soulcarequiz dot com, you'll be able to take a survey. 33 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: There's twenty one different stressors. These are the top stressors 34 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: that women experience when they want to break free from worry, 35 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: stress or anxiety. And many times we don't even know 36 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 1: what we need because we're so focused on getting work done, 37 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 1: taking care of others, or we're just feeling discouraged and 38 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 1: we can feel overwhelmed and also numb. We've lost our job, 39 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: we don't know why. But if you become more aware 40 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: of what your stressors are, then it makes it so 41 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: much easier to nurture and take care of yourself. So 42 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,639 Speaker 1: here is this soulcare quiz you can take, and it's 43 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 1: a wonderful way to also be vulnerable to talk with 44 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 1: your friends about this topic. And so it's really fun, 45 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: you know, everybody, it's a fun way. Everybody enjoys taking 46 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 1: a quiz and kind of taking a look at, hey, 47 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 1: where is it that I'm missing wellness the most? So 48 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: go to soulcarequiz dot com solocarequiz dot com. So among 49 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: all these different stressors, there are top four responses that 50 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: women often will say, this is holding me back. And 51 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: I want to ask you to what is holding you 52 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: back from taking better care of yourself? What's holding you 53 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 1: back from choosing what gives you rest, more peace or 54 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: spark joy. This is an important thing to do, is 55 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 1: to become aware because we just kind of want to 56 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,280 Speaker 1: jump over it or go round it, because maybe we're 57 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,280 Speaker 1: concerned that if I think about what I need too much, 58 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 1: then there might be some changes that I'd have to 59 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 1: make and that might cause a maybe conflict or maybe 60 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 1: it would cause disruption. But yet Jesus says you are 61 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: worthy of rest. Jesus's invitation for us to rest, He 62 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: says come to me, those who are weary and heavy burdened, 63 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: and I will give you rest. And not just any 64 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 1: kind of rest. He says in that same passage that 65 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:58,279 Speaker 1: he wants to give us rest for your soul. Jesus says, 66 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: you will find rest for your soul, and you will learn. 67 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 1: He invites us to learn from me. So rests not 68 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: something where it's just a light switch, but something that 69 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: we practice and do. It's important because millions of people 70 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: struggle with anxiety, depression, and burnout. According to the CDC, 71 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 1: a staggering forty two percent of Americans are grappling with 72 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: mental health issues. And you're probably seeing this in your 73 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: social circles, and so am I. I want to invite 74 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: you to pick up a copy of my book. It's 75 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: coming out in two weeks. I'm so excited. I've we've 76 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 1: been working on it for two years. It's called Breathe 77 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: Twenty one Days to stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm. 78 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:48,559 Speaker 1: This is the book where I talk about those twenty 79 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:53,360 Speaker 1: one stressors and twenty one solutions so that you can 80 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: restore calm to your body and your emotions. And they're 81 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: really practical tips. But also you'll see they're based on 82 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: scripture and science. It's so important because from the moment 83 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 1: we wake up, we are inundated with noise, pressure, and 84 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 1: expectations that wear us down. Especially as we move into 85 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: a life post pandemic. Each of us carries residual stress 86 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: or trauma of some sort, something that we've kind of 87 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: put away to the side because we needed to be strong. 88 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 1: But our emotional physical limits have been pushing us past 89 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 1: our limits, press anything that we've ever had to deal with, 90 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: and we have been strong. We survived a tornado of confusion, isolation, 91 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 1: and loss, and many of us are dealing with grief 92 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: while others of us are just flat out exhausted. So, 93 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:53,359 Speaker 1: getting back to those four areas of responses that we 94 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 1: tend to have as women, you know, we're heroes when 95 00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 1: it comes to loving and caring for others, But why 96 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 1: is it so hard to give ourselves permission to rest 97 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: and refresh when we're stressed and need it most. Perhaps 98 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: you have always been the encourager and always the one 99 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: responsible for taking care of others. Could that be you? 100 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 1: That is the first reason one of the reasons that 101 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: women find it hard to take action to take better 102 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:32,600 Speaker 1: care of yourself. It's the role and the responsibilities that 103 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 1: you have on your shoulders. Is that you and everyone 104 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: has a story. Where is it in your journey that 105 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: you've picked up the message this role that you need 106 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: to be the encourager all the time, or when have 107 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: you picked up the message that you are the responsible 108 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: one that when anything is happening around you, you tend 109 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 1: to be the one you feel to have to pick 110 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: up the pieces. So that's the first is the role 111 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: or responsibility that we somehow feel like we need to 112 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 1: carry all the time. It's as you're saying, because Jesus says, 113 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: take my yoke upon you, for my burden is comfortable 114 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: and light. It's another way to think of it as 115 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 1: saying Jesus says, when you're with me, when you're weary 116 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: and heavy burden, take on my way of living, my 117 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: way of being. It should be comfortable and light. Easy 118 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,720 Speaker 1: is another translation. And so during the day, there's many 119 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 1: different ways to do the things we need to do, 120 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,439 Speaker 1: and I want to encourage you to choose the path 121 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 1: that is more comfortable for you and is easier for you. 122 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: And it's maybe very difficult because you may have picked 123 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: up a role or responsibility that you've been wearing for 124 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:55,319 Speaker 1: too long. Yes, there are roles and responsibilities. Those are 125 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 1: seasons maybe or maybe certain parts of our day are 126 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: time that that should not be our identity, because our 127 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: identity is to be God's beloved daughter and where Jesus says, 128 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: come with me and let's find rest together. Do you 129 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: feel that maybe you never had the need to take 130 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: care of your mental health. So that's the second reason, 131 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 1: is that maybe you never had the need. You never 132 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 1: felt any feelings of feeling down or depression, or they 133 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 1: would just pass by you, or you'd worry that you 134 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: seem to be able to shake it off, or you 135 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: might feel anxious but only temporarily, but you're finding it 136 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: more difficult. You're seeing signals from your body that you 137 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: are stressed. The third reason perhaps you didn't feel comfortable 138 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 1: sharing your needs. Maybe you never had that permission to 139 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 1: share your needs, or maybe when you did share your need, 140 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: you were rejected, your needs were minimized, you weren't supported 141 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: or loved. So that is another way. The reason is 142 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: that we are kind of protecting ourselves. It's our shield, 143 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: is that we have to be strong and we're not 144 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: going to feel our needs by not being vulnerable about 145 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 1: what's really going on, how you're really feeling in your 146 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: body or in your emotions. And fourth is you just 147 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: didn't have time to figure it out. You just are 148 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: very busy. There's your schedule has just been the type 149 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: of schedule that's always just very packed, and you don't 150 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 1: know another way. You don't know what to take off 151 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: your plate. You wouldn't know how to put space into 152 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: your schedule and how to add rhythms. So these four reasons, 153 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: I'm curious which one you are feeling. It's important because 154 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 1: sometimes when we acknowledge, we pause and realize, oh, I 155 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:04,559 Speaker 1: actually I'm seeing this response and it's not helping my stress. 156 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: That's actually a great beginning because then we know there's 157 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: something new God wants to do in our lives. God says, 158 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: don't you perceive it, I'm doing something new in your life. 159 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: I'm going to make a stream in the desert. I'm 160 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: going to make a path in the wilderness. So when 161 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 1: your stress it feels like there's a wilderness, there's no 162 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 1: way that you can see a way out, but there is. 163 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: That's the great news. You are worth taking care of. 164 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 1: And so for the first time, ever, if you're wondering 165 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 1: if it's okay to talk about your diminished wellness, I 166 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 1: want to reassure you that you can stop the stress. 167 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: And so that's why I'm very passionate about this book 168 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: and I want you to pick it up. It's coming out. 169 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: If you pre order now, you'll be able to get 170 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: a free book club access where I encourage you every week. 171 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,839 Speaker 1: You can watch it on replay. You'll have the video. 172 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 1: I have a four part Bible study. This is only 173 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: available now before it be fourth, before the book comes out. 174 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:03,080 Speaker 1: Just might thank you gift for you to pre order 175 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 1: the gift, and it supports me in my ministry as 176 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: an author. So thank you for picking up this gift. 177 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 1: If you know a woman who would be encouraged by 178 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: nurturing her wellness, this is a great gift, even ahead 179 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 1: for Mother's Day or for birthday. So I wanted to 180 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: be faithful to share this book with you because God 181 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: put it on my heart to write this book. Now 182 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: I want to share with you how can you stop 183 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 1: the stress. Obviously there's twenty one different ways in this book, 184 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: but for today's purposes, I want to share with you. 185 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: There is a three step rhythm okay. This is a 186 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:51,080 Speaker 1: three step rhythm where you can transform moments of chaos 187 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 1: to calm. This is a very powerful rhythm. I used 188 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: to myself when I was having panic kut tacks, when 189 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: I could hardly breathe. That's what happens. If you've ever 190 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: had anxiety attacks or banic attacks, you know what I'm 191 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 1: talking about. You literally struggle to get a full breath in. 192 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 1: So first is breathing in the truth. Breath work is 193 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: so important being able to breathe because we hold tension 194 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: in our bodies. But we want to use our bodies 195 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: natural breathing rhythm, and we want to also add God's promises. 196 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 1: We alto want to add prayer into it a practice. 197 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: So first breathe in truth. You refresh your spirit with 198 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 1: God's loving word, and then you breathe out a prayer. 199 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: And this is called a breath prayer. And when you 200 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:40,959 Speaker 1: follow the rhythm of your breathing, it helps your body 201 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: activate the rest relaxation response. And when you recite God's promises, 202 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 1: then you will feel God's presence with you. And third, 203 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 1: you want to do something, take action to do something 204 00:13:56,360 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 1: to bring your body and your emotions peace or joy okay. 205 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 1: So the threesupper then is breathing in truth, breathing out prayer, 206 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,080 Speaker 1: and then taking action to put feet to your faith 207 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 1: by doing something that will help you to stress less. 208 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: For this week, I have two soul care tips for you, 209 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: and you can choose one or do both. You'll have 210 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: a double the amount of wellness. These two soul care 211 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 1: tips as based on a scripture I want to share 212 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 1: with you, which is from Psalm forty six to ten 213 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: be still and know that I Am God. Now what 214 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 1: is your response to this verse? What does it mean 215 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 1: to be still and to know that God is God? 216 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 1: We often will think that it means being still means 217 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: to do nothing, it's a stop any movement. But actually, 218 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 1: if you double click on the root word be still, 219 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 1: you look at the root word in Hebrew. The Hebrew 220 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: word is brotha. It means to let go of your grip, 221 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: to relax. Being still means to do things that help 222 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: you relax, help you loosing your grip. So many of 223 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: us when we worry and it grips us our anxiety, 224 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: it grips us or depression. When it grips us, we think, Okay, 225 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna just be still, by not doing anything 226 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: that isn't what the scripture says. The root word says, 227 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 1: to let go of it. We need to relax. So 228 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: we need to move in a direction doing things that 229 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: help you relax. And that is when your worries start diminishing, 230 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: or we can dial down the worry. Obviously it's human. 231 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 1: We're going to go through struggles or challenges, and so 232 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: it's not so much whether we'll worry, it's more like 233 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: how do we respond to worry? We dial it down, 234 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: We lower it by doing something that helps you relax. 235 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: That's what it means. And what does it mean to 236 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: know God? The no is yeah, which is to experience God. 237 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 1: So the way you experience God is going to be 238 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 1: unique to you. What brings you peace, what brings you joy, 239 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: what helps you relax? Let me ask you, what are 240 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 1: some of the things that you can do. Let's start 241 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: with a really simple way, simple thing you can do 242 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 1: to relax. What would that be? Well, I want to 243 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: give you two just to get you started, because that's 244 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: what helps us. And that's why I love this book 245 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 1: so much. It's your reference, grab you guidebook. You can 246 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 1: get twenty one different ways, and one of them is 247 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: to brew some tea. It's so simple. What's your favorite tea? 248 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: What is your favorite tea? A cup of tea can 249 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 1: soothe your mind and relax your body. The ritual of 250 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: brewing a cup of tea releases a calming response associated 251 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: with the anticipation of enjoyment. Tea has therapeutic benefits. In 252 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 1: one study, a cup of tea reduced anxiety levels and 253 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 1: participants by up to twenty five percent after they experience 254 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,679 Speaker 1: a stressful moment. So take a moment to brew a 255 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: cup of tea and stir in a spoonful of honey 256 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:13,719 Speaker 1: or a splash of cream. In doing that, we are 257 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: being present with Jesus, because Jesus is with us as 258 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 1: we take that breath in of peace with a cup 259 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:26,919 Speaker 1: of tea. It's a practice during the day when you 260 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 1: feel stressed, take a moment, brew a cup of tea 261 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: and be mindful. Be mindful to experience God's peace in 262 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: that moment. The second tip that I have for you 263 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 1: is to buy yourself some flowers. I love how Jesus 264 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: invites us to look at flowers in the field when 265 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: he says, don't worry, look at the flowers. A Harvard 266 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 1: University study found that when women place flowers in the 267 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:52,880 Speaker 1: kitchen and saw them first thing in the morning, they 268 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:56,959 Speaker 1: reported a boost in energy, happiness, and friendliness that lasted 269 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: throughout the day. This was even true for those who 270 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: weren't mourning, people who tended to start the day with 271 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:07,199 Speaker 1: mourning blaws. So flowers are God's natural mood enhancers. So 272 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 1: that's your challenge this week is to buy yourself some flowers. 273 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 1: And what would be your favorite flowers? What are your 274 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 1: favorite flowers? Just think about it the way God created us. 275 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 1: Something about will our eyes look at some flowers? Your 276 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 1: body responds by relaxing. Is that amazing? And it's universal 277 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: anybody on any place on this earth. You give them flowers, 278 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 1: they are going to feel a sense of goodness and 279 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 1: beauty and relax So is it any wonder when someone 280 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 1: isn't feeling well, we want to bring flowers. I want 281 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 1: to invite you now to pray with me. Dear Jesus, 282 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: whatever is ahead of me today, you know it all. 283 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: The very thought of you is taking care of me. 284 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:00,680 Speaker 1: Quiets my heart. You are the one who's in control. 285 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 1: Guide me, help me now, give me your wisdom, reassure 286 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: me of your loves give me courage to do what 287 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:13,360 Speaker 1: I must do. I cast my cares on you because 288 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 1: you care for me. Jesus well ohen so pray with 289 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: me now the breast prayer. Breathe in, I cast my 290 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: cares on you, breathe out because you care for me. Friends, 291 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 1: I cannot wait to join with you next week to 292 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: encourage you more with more soul care, with more of 293 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 1: God's word of affirmation. Remember to pick up my book 294 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:45,160 Speaker 1: Breathe twenty one days to stress Less and transform chaos 295 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 1: to Calm. And sign up for my book Love and 296 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 1: the free Bible study at the Breathebook dot com, The 297 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 1: Breathebook dot com and take my sole Care quiz Soulcare 298 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:02,399 Speaker 1: Quiz dot com. Remember that you're loved, you're cherished. Just rest. 299 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: I'll see you next time. Breathe the stress Less podcast 300 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 1: is a production of Life Audio and Salem Media. If 301 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: you liked what you heard today, please take a second 302 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,480 Speaker 1: to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast 303 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 1: app so that more listeners like you can find the show. 304 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:27,120 Speaker 1: For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio 305 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 1: dot com.