No one wants to be stressed and we always blame our stress on other people and life’s circumstances. Stress in our life feels real and we feel helpless to change it but if you look at stress closer you will realize there is an addictive component to it.
The apostle Paul sums up addiction well in Romans 7:15 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. There are three-ways stress can seduce you into addiction.
It feeds the ego
You become addicted to the adrenaline rush of the flight or flight response
It puts up a wall between you and your fears connected with either your past or present
Most people do not recognize their addiction to stress. How you can become addicted to stress, sounds funny doesn’t it? An addiction is when you engage in something over and over and over again which eventually brings you pain and discomfort, and then guilt, yet you continue to engage in it. I often hear people say they are stressed, stressed about work, their home life, money, school, retirement, the economy. The problem with being stressed is that only you can change your reaction to stress. Let me say that again; only you can change your reaction to stress.
Stressful events naturally happen to us, but what is important is how you choose to react the stressful events. Do you worry all night, take it out on others, or isolate yourself when you are stressed? The next time you are stressed ask yourself the question, “Am I addicted to stress?” If the answer is yes choose a different response which takes you out of the cycle of addiction.
Following are some calmness affirmations:
Calmness washes over me with every deep breath I take.
Every breath I take fills me with harmony and peace.
Every day I allow myself a few moments just to be.
Every day I am more and more at ease.
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