Outreach Ministries: Living with Stress Seminar

Stress can be a powerful motivator when reacting to sudden danger or trying to meet a deadline. But more often than not, stress robs us of good health in mind, body and spirit. Offer a daylong seminar about the causes of stress and possible solutions. Below are some guidelines on what to cover:

1. Symptoms of Anxiety

Everyone has low levels of stress in their lives. But how can you tell when anxiety levels have become problematic? Educate attendees on the common signs of stress overload. These include:

• Feelings of weakness or fatigue
• Rapid or pounding heart rate
• Muscle tension
• Chronic headaches
• Excessive worry or self-criticism

There are plenty of evaluation materials that you can utilize to help attendees identify their stress level. Check your local bookstore an online for possibilities.

2. Offer Professional Help

If someone has a severe anxiety disorder, they are going to need professional counseling and perhaps medication. Invite local counseling centers to send a representative with literature about their organization. If possible, set them up in an office and allow people to visit them one at a time. They are only providing a general question and answer session at this point, but people may be too self-conscious to share their concerns in a group setting.

3. Stress Busting Activities

Now that you have identified the problem, it is time to share some solutions. Offer attendees a list of tips and techniques of stress busting activities. Some ideas include:

• Soothing music- Relaxation CD’s are music compilations specifically designed to lower the heart rate and reduce stress. These are handy as they can be listened to in a variety of situations including commuting to work, preparing dinner, taking a walk, or at the office.
• Yoga- Yoga teaches balance of mind, body and spirit and has set many people on the path to health, happiness and fulfillment. Practice daily to reap benefits that include flexibility and mental clarity. Yoga is particularly effective in the treatment of stress but it does take time and patience - those that need it most may find themselves intensely irritated to start with.
• Meditation- Meditation is about learning to relax and “unclench” mentally. It is used by a variety of religions to focus minds and bodies in prayer. However, meditation can be used by everyone to release yourself from daily troubles, and focus on a positive state of being.
• Aromatherapy- Thought to have originated in ancient China, aromatherapy is based on the healing properties of plants, from which concentrated aromatic oils are extracted. The vapors of these 'essential oils' are then inhaled and carried via the bloodstream both to the nervous system and to the parts of the brain that control the release of hormones and emotions. Now days, it seems aromatherapy is available in everything from shampoo to laundry detergent. However, it has been proven that certain smells promote a relaxed state.
• Exercise- Many people would consider exercise as an added stress. The truth is, the fitter you are, the better you will be at fulfilling your potential, both physically and mentally. To see real results, you need to raise your heart rate to an appropriate level three to four times a week and vary your exercise to work heart, lungs, muscles and internal organs. It sounds awful, but in time you will begin to look and feel better - even your brain will work more efficiently.
• Massage- There is nothing more relaxing then a deep tissue massage delivered correctly by a professional. Massage not only relieves physical symptoms of stress, such as muscle aches, but sooths mentally as well. Licensed massage therapists can be located through your local gym or physical rehab center, or day spa. Note: Be very wary of massage parlors or independent contractors advertised in local newspapers or magazines. In many cases, they are really offering a completely different “service”.

Contact local vendors that deal in the above topics and see if they would like to send representatives with literature and samples. If you have enough vendors sign up, you can set up tables and displays in a large room that attendees can wander through. If only a few vendors approve, allow each to give their own 5-minute presentation.

Enhanced Healing.Com - Purchase music in CD or individual MP3 download form. All music is royalty free.

Yoga Journal- Reports developments in the world of yoga and provides step-by-step information on practices.

Massage Network- a worldwide listing of massage therapists dedicated to promoting and professionalizing massage and massage therapists.

NAHA: National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy- an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy.

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