Christian practices for stress relief
As Christian women, managing stress while staying rooted in our faith can be a unique challenge. Thankfully, there are several practices that align with our faith that can help us alleviate stress and bring a sense of peace and calm into our lives and our nervous systems. For an in depth approach to dealing with chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation, check out our Biblically Rooted Functional Wellness Membership options
In the meantime,
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Breath Prayers
Prayer is a powerful tool for stress relief. Studies show, prayer actually rewires our brain. Andrew Newberg spent many years studying the neurological effects of prayer and meditation since the late 1990s. He is the director of research at the Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine in Philadelphia, and is the author of several books, including How God Changes Your Brain. His work involved inserting radioactive dye into the brains of both spiritual novices and high-achievers like Franciscan nuns, Buddhist monks and evangelical Christians when they’re focused on prayer. His studies found that prayer increased activity in the frontal lobes (the part of the brain that helps focus attention) and, depending on the kind of prayer, increased activity in the language, visualization, emotional and motor centres. Combining prayer with a focus on our breath, helps us honor our mind, body, and Spirit connection. This becomes a powerful tool for calming the mind and focusing on God's presence. One of my favorite verses to integrate with breath prayers is: “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3.
2. Nature Walks and Being in God’s Creation
Spending time in nature is a biblical practice that can help us connect with God and find relief from stress. While in nature, taking time to notice fractals actually impacts us physically, lowering our stress hormones and stimulating awe. Waking also helps regulate our blood sugar which tends to be elevated when we are stressed due to stress hormones. God created us with the ability to enjoy His creation, our bodies actually benefit from it! But so often, we live life in a rush, missing out on the birds singing, a soft breeze on our skin, walking by fractals, or the sway of the trees. Take time to slow down, pause, and savor today.
Here are some tips to integrate this into your day : Grab your favorite warm drink and find a place to sit outside. If it is cold where you are, sit inside by a window. Pause and take in the environment you are in and notice which cues in nature make you feel safe. Look for fractals. Fractals are repeating patterns commonly found in nature and our nervous system finds them regulating. Examples are pine cones, nautilus shells, the puff of a dandelion. You can even use this as an opportunity to savor with your littles and show them a fractal. Watch nature videos on YouTube if you can’t get out. Notice which ones make you feel safe and savor those. Pause and pray and thank God for the gift of his creation.
Journaling is a therapeutic practice that allows us to pour out our thoughts and feelings to God. Writing down prayers, gratitude lists, and reflections on His Word can provide clarity and emotional relief. This practice helps us process our emotions and see God's hand in our lives more clearly. I personally like to use to Zinnia app to journal electronically on my ipad. You can add a password to it for protection.
4. Community and Fellowship
Your nervous system craves co-regulation with others. Co-regulation is when two people help each other manage their emotions and feel calm together. Imagine a parent comforting a crying child by holding them and speaking softly—this helps the child feel safe and calm. In the same way, when we are feeling stressed or upset, being with someone like minded in faith, who is also calm, present, and supportive can help us feel better and manage our emotions more effectively. Engaging in small group Bible studies, church activities, or simply spending time with Christian friends can help us feel less isolated and more connected. Sharing our burdens with others and praying together can lighten our load. If you are craving this type of community, I highly recommend your join us inside our monthly collective! You can learn more here.
In conclusion,
Stress may be an inevitable part of life, but as Christian women, we have a unique advantage: a loving God who invites us to cast all our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). By incorporating these Christian practices into our daily routine, and by honoring our mind, body, and Spirit connection, we can find relief from stress and draw closer to His peace and presence.
If you want to learn more about caring for your nervous system through a Biblical lens, check out our 12 week Program, Aligned + Renewed.
Resources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8935176/
