A Place to Run: Community Dog Park

"I am stressed!" 
Have you ever found yourself saying this? I know I have. In the past (and in past, I mean a year ago) I didn't have healthy habits  to handle stress or challenges. These unhealthy habits drove me to overeating, overworking, and insomnia. As you know, this combination develops into exhaustion, moodiness, and obesity. Well, at least for me it did. Maybe you've had more luck but I'm guessing if you're habits for dealing with the tough times are similar to mine then you understand all too well.

​Here's the deal, we NEED HEALTHY HABITS to deal with our stress. Last January when I started working with Dr. Jack Kunkel to adjust my eating habits, one of the first lessons I learned is how important our mental thoughts were to our success. This isn't just our mental health but also our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. I started a daily affirmation statement and meditation, along with daily tapping. I shared links about each, these aren't the ones Dr. Jack Kunkel used yet I believe they will help you have a better understanding. My affirmation and meditation are Scripture. My connection and foundation lie in my faith so I spent time choosing verses to help me grow stronger on all levels. If Scripture isn't your thing, then there are many affirmations and meditations out there, ready to go, just use your search engine.

Another healthy habit I use now is to exercise instead of eat. This past December someone close to me had a health scare and spent days on the ventilator. This was a challenging time for all who care for her. I had to make a conscience decision each day to choose exercise, prayer, and healthier habits to combat my stress. It would have been easy to get soda from the vending machine and eat hospital cafeteria food each day but I chose to bring my water bottle, healthy snacks, and something to keep my fingers busy. My weight loss stalled BUT I didn't gain weight so I count this as a win. In life, we must celebrate the successes. On a bigger level, celebrate life in general because tomorrow may not come.

I share this with you today because we all, even our dogs, need to get rid of the excess or nervous energy. We may not use a "dog park" to deal with our stress BUT we need to have healthy options for when the need to burn off energy happens. What are you doing? 

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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:-11 NIV

What do you do to relieve stress and unwind?