Monday Morning Boost: Stress Test
Over the past three months, I’ve been dealing with some extra tiredness and occasional shortness of breath. It was concerning, especially with the journey of my heart over the last 18, I decided to undergo a heart stress test last week just to be sure everything was okay.
The test went really smoothly. It was a nuclear stress test combined with a treadmill EKG. First, they injected me with a nuclear isotope to get a baseline scan of my heart at rest. Then they had me hop on a treadmill where they pushed my heart rate to about 85% of its maximum capacity, which for me was around 146 beats per minute (I think!). After that, they performed another scan to observe my heart under stress.
The nuclear scan measures blood flow, while the EKG measures the heart’s electrical functions that keep it beating. It’s a cool combination that gives my cardiologist a comprehensive view of what’s going on inside.
I was expecting to wait about a week for the results, so you can imagine my surprise when my cardiologist called me the very next day. He had reviewed the results earlier than expected, which had me a tad worried at first. Thankfully, he had good news to share! According to him, everything looks really good overall. My blood is flowing nicely, and the rhythm of my EKG is healthy.
However, he did note one minor thing. It seems that about 1% of the wall of my heart is slightly thinner than the rest. Not a major concern, but worth keeping an eye on. On a positive note, the doctor confirmed that I haven’t had a heart attack. While I did experience significant pain from a blockage, it didn’t cause any permanent damage to my heart. That’s fantastic news for my long-term heart health!
This also helps validate my suspicion that the shortness of breath I’ve been experiencing is more likely related to anxiety rather than any heart or lung issues. Over the past few weeks, I’ve realized that I’ve been allowing external circumstances to create higher levels of stress in my life. But fear not, my dear readers, for I am taking active steps to improve this situation.
So, I’ve decided to focus on my core Power of Three promises, which means prioritizing my physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Just like the heart, these areas can also benefit from their own personalized “stress test”. Let me share with you three simple ways we can monitor and nurture these aspects of ourselves.
PHYSICAL WELLNESS ASSESSMENT
First up is our physical health. Think of it as a simple daily check-up. Just as a stress test measures blood flow and electrical functions of the heart, this check-up will help us gauge our overall physical well-being. Evaluate your sleep quality, nutrition, and exercise routine. Are you getting enough restful sleep? Are you nourishing your body with wholesome, balanced meals? Are you engaging in regular physical activity that suits your lifestyle? Take note of any areas that need improvement and set achievable goals to enhance your physical health.
SOUL ALIGNMENT ASSESSMENT
Next, we have our spiritual health, which is like taking a stress test for the soul. To monitor and enhance it, you can reflect on your values, beliefs, and connection to something greater than yourself. Are you living in alignment with your core values? Do you engage in practices that cultivate a sense of spirituality, such as meditation, prayer, or connecting with nature? Assess how connected you feel to your spiritual side and explore ways to deepen that connection, allowing it to guide your actions and decisions.
MENTAL WELLNESS ASSESSMENT
Lastly, let’s talk about emotional health. Take a moment to reflect on your emotions and how you manage them. Are you aware of your feelings and able to express them constructively? Do you have healthy coping mechanisms for stress and adversity? Seek support from trusted friends, family, or professionals if you’re struggling. Engaging in activities that bring you joy, practicing self-care, and cultivating self-compassion are also powerful ways to support your emotional well-being.
By monitoring our physical, spiritual, and emotional health and making conscious efforts to nurture them, we can be more intentional in living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Just as a stress test provides valuable insights into our heart’s health, these personalized “stress tests” help us assess and enhance different dimensions of our lives.
I’m committed to living my core Power of Three promises, and I encourage you to do the same. Together, let’s prioritize our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. And hey, I’m also striving to fine-tune my business vision and strategy to create a more effective lead generation system. Growth and progress are always on the horizon!
Thank you for your love, concern, faith, and prayers as the Journey of the Heart continues.
Have a beautiful Monday! I love you, friends!
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to review the Physical, Spiritual, and/or Emotional Assessments.
Heart Life Line Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Fresh Start Photo by Alysha Rosly on Unsplash
