Smiling Takes the Bite out of Stress

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills This is not an article on ways remove stress from your life. Neither am I offering an instructional guide to eliminating stress by getting organized, exercising more, eating nutritionally sound, praying more, learning to say no, journaling your feelings, seeking counseling, taking prescription meds, or exploring the many ways to reduce stress. There are plenty of …

When Our Emotions Reach Flood-Level

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We’ve all experienced overwhelming emotions when life’s happenings make us feel like we’re drowning in flood-level pressure, responsibilities, and daily challenges. The urge to give up and let the sea sweep us away tempts us. Too often, we forget that channeled stress helps us effectively problem-solve and meet deadlines. We can learn to swim to higher …

Overwhelmed or an Opportunity?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Do the challenges of life leave you overwhelmed? Or are you using challenges as an opportunity? How our bodies are affected by stress and tension determines a healthy or unhealthy body. Stress and tension are not always bad experiences. Stress is the body’s reaction to a potential mental or physical threat. We strive to find answers …

April 19 – National Stress Awareness Day

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills It’s no coincidence that National Stress Awareness Day falls the day after tax day. I’ve also seen that April 19th is National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day, and that’s just another way to relieve the stress. Stress is the body’s way of protecting itself from potential harm or a threat. So our bodies kick into high …

What Does Comfort Mean to You?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills The meaning of comfort intrigues me, especially with the stress so many people face each day. No point going into the many stressors bombarding us, or this post would be 6,000 words long. If you’re like me, we want to help others in a way that’s healthy and beneficial to them. Other times we want to …

What Does the Rhythm of Life Mean to You?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I’m pleased to announce the winner of my recent random drawing giveaway. Congratulations to June from NJ who will receive an ebook of WHERE TOMORROW LEADS and a Wolferman Gift Basket! I’ve read many definitions of what the rhythm of life means. For some, it’s how we handle the ebb and flow of our life’s journey, …

15 Ways to Survive Stress—and Enjoy the Holidays

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Stress is nothing we plan or calendar. It doesn’t even ask our permission, as though the gray clouds rolling our way are something we want. We respond per our personality, how we were raised, and life experiences. Some of us do a better job than others. October ushers us into the holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New …

When the Brain Needs a Break

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Last Thursday, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference at Ridgecrest, North Carolina came to a close. The conference began the previous Sunday evening and ended on Thursday at noon. As co-director with Edie Melson, all of us, including our leadership team, faculty, and fabulous conferees were blessed, pleased, excited about the conference, looking forward to …

5 Ways to Avoid Summer Stress

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Summer is a few weeks away, and it begins with Memorial Day, a time for families to explore the many activities waiting for us outside. Schools will soon be out for the summer. Vacation plans take form. Family reunions, sports activities, camping, etc. Supposedly summer is a season to relax. We can’t enjoy the beautiful weather …