Gag Me With A... (Lessons From the Stomach Bug)

Yesterday I caught a nasty stomach virus. It was a good reminder of a very gross, yet powerful analogy I give my clients in counseling. I must warn you, this analogy is disgusting, but it is one you won't forget!

Everyday we are bombarded with emotions, difficulties, irritations, and so on. Most of us take a deep breath, and move on with the day. That is fine for a time, but as life's problems and trials build up, it becomes increasingly difficult to cope in healthy ways. When I assess a client, one of the first questions I ask about is their support structure. In other words, who in your life, do you have to talk to? Many people do not have adequate (much less) strong support in their lives. The result is that they walk around with a ton of bottled up junk, and are using unhealthy methods to cope with life. Basically, they are walking around with a perpetual stomach virus.

I have yet to meet a person who enjoys vomiting, and yet when we have a stomach virus, our bodies need to expel that virus. Still, we try everything possible to avoid hugging the porcelain throne. We take pepto-bismol, drink sprite, and lay on the couch holding our stomachs, until the inevitable upchuck occurs. What follows vomiting is relief. We feel better for a time, but a typical virus has to run its course, which means more vomiting will occur. Thankfully, these types of viruses do not last forever, and eventually we recover and feel better.

The point of this very gross analogy is that life is hard. You will experience trials, hurt, difficulties, and frustrations. Don't go it alone! Develop a healthy support structure of people who you can handle your "vomit." A word of caution, though. The "vomiting" stage of recovery is only step one of the process.

Step two of dealing with life's stomach virus, requires the development of healthy methods for coping and recovering. Think about the last time you had the stomach virus. After you puked, did you eat a big hamburger, or a piece of chocolate cake? Instead, you most likely ate a few saltine crackers, and drank some sprite. Yet when we experience pain or difficulty, the first things we turn to are not the things that are the best. Excessive alcohol use, overeating, gossip, and unhealthy sex are just some of the coping mechanisms people employ during difficult times. These are the equivalent to scarfing down a hamburger or a piece of chocolate cake to heal the woes of a stomach virus. (I hope your stomach is churning right now).

Instead, surround yourself with a few friends you can confide in. Vomit out your woes, but don't let it stop there. Continue your recovery process by implementing healthy methods for dealing with life's stomach virus. Here are few suggestions:

1. Prayer
2. Read your Bible (for crying out loud)
3. Exercise - (don't roll your eyes. a long walk never hurt anyone)
4. Talk to someone you trust (who won't just tell you what you want to hear).
5. Go to Counseling (I'm a counselor, so I had to throw that one in there).
6. Change Negative Thought Patterns - this one is powerful. I challenge you to write down three negative thoughts you have on a continual basis. When these thoughts bombard you, STOP thinking them, and instead counteract that pattern with something positive.

Purging is never fun, but it is necessary. Our bodies have natural mechanisms that purge the system of a virus. Unfortunately, the healthy mechanisms needed to deal with emotional difficulties are not natural, and must be developed and intentional. Our bodies give off physical signals that warn us we need to take care of emotional angst. Next time you feel anxious, irritated, angry, or sad, let this serve as a signal that life's emotional stomach virus has paid you a visit, and it is time to purge. Instead of turning to unhealthy methods of coping, look to your new and improved healthy strategies!

I'm starving! I think I'll go have a hamburger and some chocolate cake. My name is Angie, and these are my confessions.....