Jessica Gallant

Is there something you’ve always wanted to be and do? Most of us have long-cherished dreams and hopes about ourselves, but not many of us get to live them out. At the heart of our various pursuits, hopes, and dreams is one thing – the pursuit of happiness. We chase after things because we believe we will be happy if we obtain them. We all want to be happy, and that is what drives us and our day-to-day activities. While we might all want to be happy, accomplishing it is easier said than done. A global happiness report is released annually, indicating the level of happiness and satisfaction people experience in their lives. The Scandinavian countries consistently rank as the top nations in the world in terms of happiness, according to data from recent years. In the most recent 2024 report, the United States slipped out of the top 20 of that list. We all want happiness, but… If there’s a pursuit that’s common to all people, it’s the pursuit of happiness. We’re all longing to find what the Bible calls “rest” or “shalom.” The word “shalom” is often translated as “peace,” but it means more than the sort of peace that happens when there isn’t conflict. Biblical peace is when all is as it should be; relationships are healthy, work is enjoyable and productive, one has a healthy sense of oneself, and all that’s around them is flourishing. The problem that we have, and that humanity has had for ages, is that we can’t quite agree on what happiness looks like, or the best way to get to it. One person’s happiness might be obtained through another’s unwarranted suffering, or while disregarding others’ well-being. Sometimes, what we think will make us happy has exactly the opposite effect. This makes [...]

Overwhelming stress can make you physically, mentally, and emotionally ill. Stress is the body’s natural response to danger. What we perceive as dangerous differs from what our ancestors experienced thousands of years ago. However, our brains still react by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to help us through perceived danger. Chronic stress causes inflammation, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep issues, digestive problems, appetite changes, and weight gain or loss. Learning coping mechanisms for stress can help you manage these symptoms and ease their effects. Coping Mechanisms for Stress You Can Start Now Looking for quick stress relief? Coping mechanisms for stress should be easy to remember and activities you can do right away. When you feel overwhelmed, take a few minutes to stop and breathe. Take notice of your thoughts and identify any worries or fears that have triggered cortisol release. Next, incorporate one of the following coping mechanisms for stress into your day. Making these coping mechanisms part of your daily routine is best. This way, you manage stress from the start of your day until bedtime. For example, make it a practice to exercise first thing in the morning for twenty minutes, listen to a soothing playlist at lunchtime, read or listen to an audiobook on the commute home, and follow up with a warm bath and a funny show before bed. Adopt a routine that works best for you. Take a deep breath Pause and take a deep breath in. Exhale slowly and deliberately. Deep breathing calms the nervous system and lowers the heart rate. You can practice by inhaling through your nose for the count of four, holding your breath for four counts, and then releasing it through the mouth for another count of four. Try variations of counts [...]