Enjoy Life for Your Heart's Sake

[Dr. Shane]

Approximately one third of heart attacks and strokes are caused by emotional stress (Yusuf, 2004).  Talk about men's hearts failing them for fear (Luke 21:26)!!!  Those that struggle with stress disorders, like PTSD, have a 60% increased risk of cardiovascular problems (Song, 2019).  We live in a stressful world from noisy traffic, long lines in retail stores, artificial light at night, unreasonable coworkers, crying children, family problems and health issues.  It is overwhelming for many people.  So, what can be done?

The good news is that the answer is simply to enjoy life.  That is something that a lot of people are not doing but it is God's plan for us.  Slow down and take time each day to pray and meditate.  Not just once.  Writing a journal both in morning and night is a fantastic way to integrate prayer and meditation into the daily routine.  Send me a private message here if you would like a journaling prompt card that my ministry gives out and I will send one to you.   Start a simple exercise routine.  Some complain they don't like exercise.  For many it is an acquired taste.  That is, one has to practice it for a time before they begin to like it.  There are as many different ways to exercise as there are foods to eat.  Try several of them until you find those that you really enjoy.  Find time to laugh.  This is best to do with friends but watching comedies on TV can be sufficient too.   One word of caution about comedies, secular producers often use their programing to promote sinfulness.  Laughing is good but when we use TV as a tool, caution is important.  Indulge yourself with good music.  Music can be listened to in the car or at home.  If you have the habit of listening to audiobooks when driving, you can alternate between the music and audiobooks different days of the week.  Physical touch is also important.  If you are married, hug your spouse everyday for 20 seconds at a time.  If you are single, consider getting a massage with skin-to-skin contact, once or twice a month as you can afford.  A 30-minute massage is sufficient.

So here is the recipe to enjoy life:

1. Prayer and meditation

2. Exercise

3. Laugh

4. Enjoy music

5. Human touch

 

 

Yusuf S, Hawken S, Ounpuu S, Dans T, Avezum A, Lanas F, McQueen M, Budaj A, Pais P, Varigos J, Lisheng L; INTERHEART Study Investigators. Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study. Lancet. 2004 Sep 11-17;364(9438):937-52. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17018-9. PMID: 15364185.

Song, H., Fang, F., Arnberg, F. K., Mataix-Cols, D., de la Cruz, L. F., Almqvist, C., ... & Valdimarsdóttir, U. A. (2019). Stress related disorders and risk of cardiovascular disease: population based, sibling controlled cohort study. bmj, 365.