Episode 5: Managing Stress When You Have a Chronic Illness In this episode on managing stress with a chronic illness, host Michelle Andrea Williams and her guest co-host Lynn Eggleton discuss various stress management techniques. They emphasize the importance of identifying stressors and either eliminating them or finding ways to manage their symptoms. Lynn suggests journaling as a way to identify stressors and prioritize tasks, while also recommending mindfulness practices such as meditation or prayer. Michelle shares her experience with gratitude journaling and deep breathing exercises as effective stress management tools. They also discuss the benefits of spending time in nature, such as walking in the woods or stargazing, to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Additionally, they touch on the importance of recognizing what factors are within one's control and focusing on those aspects first. The episode concludes with a reminder that stress management is not one-size-fits-all, and seeking professional support when needed can be beneficial in managing stress and chronic illness. Spark Spotlight: The Power of Walking: Reducing Stress One Step at a Time Resources: Headspace - Guided Meditation and Mindfulness URL:https://www.headspace.com/ Calm - Meditation and Sleep App URL: https://www.calm.com/ Centering Prayer app URL: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering-prayer-mobile-app/ National Sleep Foundation - Sleep Tips and Information URL: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/ Stanford Researchers find mental health prescription: Nature URL: https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/ APA Want to boost your mental health? Take a walk URL : https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/defeating-depression-naturally

Music for every episode: Samba Rockin' by Parmi SC Music https://soundcloud.com/parmi-scmusic/samba-rockin?si=50d04e0a8c624a59be2b4fdb35ad001c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing