A little knowledge about stress and its effect on health benefits everyone. It is estimated by the American Institute of Stress, that 75% to 90% of all doctors visits are caused by reactions to stress.
Stress poses a profound difficulty for everyone. But more black men die from heart attacks associated with stress than any other ethnic group in the United States.
50% of African Americans who suffer from the blues or depression do not seek help
88% of women and 69% of men will get headaches and stress is the number one cause
Stress is the number one health problem facing African Americans. 35% of African American men compared to 25% of other ethnic groups are affected by hypertension (high blood pressure)
1 out of every 9 women who seek care in the emergency rooms is there because of injuries resulting from domestic violence. There is evidence to support that neighborhood crime is rooted in unhealthy stress
Stoke is identified as being 67% higher in African American men than other ethnic groups and 88% more blacks are more likely to die from a stroke than whites
The everyday struggle of dealing with prejudice also contributes to the high and potentially deadly levels of stress in the African American community. With the challenges of poverty, discrimination, injustice, poor choices, etc., the quality of life for African Americans both male and female encourages an ongoing and constant schizophrenic mind set of anger and assimilation that many experts believe is a primary reason for the increased death rates among the African Americans.
Suggested Stress Checklist for African Americans
Being out of work for a month or longer
Having a serious illness or accident
Not having enough money for food, clothing, housing, or other necessities of life
Being concerned with getting credit
Having a problem with getting things repaired around the house
Having a check arrive late or lost in the mail
Having something stolen or having the house or car broken into
Having a violent argument with a friend or relative
Having some other kind of trouble with family members
Being concerned about living in an unsafe area
Living with racism (Patrick Romano, 1990)
Daily Devotion
Sunday: Read and meditate on Matthew 11:28
Monday: Learn to realize that all stress is not bad. Read John 16: 19-28 and Isaiah 55:1-3
Tuesday: Strive to be patient with yourself. Read Romans 12:12 and II Timothy
Wednesday: Change your faulty beliefs. Read Matthew 6: 25-34. Remember 40% of the
things people worry about never happen
Thursday: Learn to relax. Read Psalms 23&123 and Hebrews 4:4 over and over again
while listening to Christian/Gospel music at least 15-20 minutes a day
Friday: Take a grace inventory. Remind yourself of what God has done in your life.
Read Philippians 1:6, 4:4; 4:6 and 4:19
Saturday: Develop a sense of humor. Learn to control what you can and what you cannot. Read Proverbs 31:25; Psalms 37:13 and II Corinthians 7:4
Article Source: http://www.alltopinfo.com
Dr. Tracy Scott
www.healthylivingseminars.org
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