Why?

In this study by Robert Emmons, the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good

Gratitude journals and other gratitude practices often seem so simple and basic; in our studies, we often have people keep gratitude journals for just three weeks. And yet the results have been overwhelming. We’ve studied more than one thousand people, from ages eight to 80, and found that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:

• Stronger immune systems
• Less bothered by aches and pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Exercise more and take better care of their health
• Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking

• Higher levels of positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy and pleasure
• More optimism and happiness

• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated.

 

“Mighty Micah” Beats Stage IV Cancer! Watch his amazing story!

 

Text BELIEVE to 80888 TO DONATE!

Or give online at: www.believebig.org/eoy

 

5 Practical Steps to Manage Stress & Your Health During the Holidays

1. Practice Gratitude – It isn’t always possible to change your circumstances, but you can change where you focus your mind, heart, and soul. The words we speak can set the course for your future. Need a tool to help you? Our new Gratitude Journal will encourage you to speak God’s promises over your daily life, affirm his blessings, and help you to pray from a place of victory.
2. Plan Ahead & Set Boundaries – Be intentional with your time. Get adequate consistent sleep by setting an alarm on your phone for the same time each night to turn technology off and get ready for bed. Planning ahead by simply taking the time to write out a daily or weekly to-do list can work wonders for keeping stress at bay. “It’s ok to say “no”. You are not obligated to accept every invitation, request, or opportunity that comes your way. Especially if you know saying “yes” will make you anxious or doesn’t align with how you really want to be spending your time.”
3. Learn New Ways to Relax – We love the NEW One Minute Pause app or learn a new hobby like photography or painting.
4. Make Time for Exercise – Exercise not only decreases stress hormones but also boosts energy levels and the feel-good chemicals in the brain. You don’t have to join a gym. A short, brisk walk outside can do wonders for your mood. There are also several apps you can use at home to help keep you motivated like Sworkit, 7-min workout, or the Peleton app.
5. Know What You Can (and Can’t) Control – For some people, the holidays can trigger stress and anxiety because of past experiences. Many have family members that can be difficult, leaving us with a lot of negative emotions. Set an intention to create a different way of navigating challenging relationships. Acknowledge the triggers and set an intention to approach that person with a positive outlook. Keep conversations light and don’t get drawn into their drama or debate. You don’t have control over what others say and how they act, but you DO have control over whether you allow others to affect your mood and stress level.

I was invited to the very first dinner when Believe Big was launched, and that’s when I heard Ivelisse’s remarkable, hope-filled story.  I was blown away by her testimony about her journey to becoming cancer-free.

After hearing that inspiring story, it was so easy to volunteer at the Believe Big offices and to donate financially to this cause I wholeheartedly believe in.  Believe Big respects the mind, body, and spirit connection and offers their incredible guidance and assistance to anyone on the cancer journey.  I know this firsthand, as they helped me when they provided useful information, direction, and emotional and spiritual support as I walked with both my husband and niece on their cancer journeys. Believe Big helps so many of us who have seen our loved ones suffer through cancer. Their tireless efforts to assist others facing this ugly, hideous disease are successful largely due to their supporters’ financial contributions.

 I ask each of you to come alongside Believe Big by giving any amount you can, so the word of its mission can spread and more people can receive help.

Cancer is a journey none of us volunteer to take, but each of us has been affected by it in one way or another.  Partnering with Believe Big is an excellent and rewarding way to help cancer patients and their families.  The resources and support Believe Big offers are free to patients, but we need to provide the finances so the good work Believe Big does will continue and increase. I hope I never, ever hear the diagnosis that I have cancer, but if I do, I know that my first call will be to Believe Big.  Willie (Lieberman) Barrett Believe Big Supporter    

Seven Immune System Hacks for the Fall Season

1. Love (opposite: fear or hate)
   Love affects our physiology and our resilience.  Love actually changes the way our heart beats, lowers cortisol, improves immune dysfunction.  Love feeds our bodies in a way God intended (and instructs us).

2. Sleep (opposite:  striving)
   In order to sleep, we need to surrender.  Surrender means to “let go,” relax, be quiet.  Sleep will refresh us to begin again the next day.  Sleep needs to be a priority too for healing.

   Be still.  God ministers to us in our stillness.  We rest in Him.  Psalm 46:10

3. Clean water (opposite:  soft drink, sugary drinks)
   Keep a water bottle with you always, preferably not plastic.  Gauge your intake daily and aim to consume half your body weight (in ounces).  Our bodies require a lot of water daily.  Use a filter for best results.

   Sugary drinks will give you a lift, but you will also feel the crash afterwards.

4. Vitamins and minerals (opposite:  none)
   We need vitamin supplements because we will not get enough from our food sources.
   Vitamins B, C, D are probably the best vitamin choices for the fall season.  Vitamin B helps with energy, nerve health, and brain function.  Vitamin C is good for our immune health, cell repair, and more.  Vitamin D (powerhouse vitamin) strengthens our immune health and helps with weight loss and mood regularity.  Zinc and magnesium are recommended minerals for the detox process and immune function.

5. Eat clean and fast regularly (opposite: overeating & eating junk food)
   Clean means ORGANIC.  Eliminate processed foods.  If it’s in a package or if it’s preserved or if it has more than 5 ingredients, it’s not healthy, choose something better.  Eat fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and clean proteins are good for our immune systems.

   Fasting allows us to rest our gut.  This allows our immune system to take a break from toxins that pass through the body even when we eat clean.  Fasting is good for us physically, emotionally and spiritually.

6. Exercise wisely (opposite:  slothfulness)
   Pay attention to your body during a new season.  High stress life situations can be made worse from high intensity workouts.  It adds inflammation to the body.  Listen to what your body is telling you and adjust your workout accordingly.

   Exercise is necessary for our health (physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally) but we need to pay attention to our bodies.

7. Renew your mind
   Our minds and our bodies are tightly connected.  Our minds can direct our bodies and if they are out of alignment, it will affect our health.  Step away from things that fill your mind with toxins such as the daily news.

   Fill your mind with things that feed your soul in a way that encourages love, health and a spiritual relationship with God.

 

Believe Big is a non-profit Christian organization founded by Ivelisse and Jimmy Page after her battle with Stage IV colon cancer. Established in 2011, Believe Big is bridging the gap between conventional and complementary medicine for fighting cancer. Believe Big provides cancer patients with hope, help, and healing through our resources, patient advocate and wellness grants..

Partner Today with Believe Big >

 

Source link of the original content post from our friend Susie Larson: Listen to the whole podcast here >
https://myfaithradio.com/2021/7-immune-system-hacks-for-the-fall-season/