My stress indicators

The main indicators of stress in my body are biting my finger nails, blood pressure and my heart. A few years ago I was given the job of closing down a parish. The decision had been made and the Bishop had asked me to offer Pastoral care as they journeyed through the process. It was not an easy job as I dealt with anger, grief and many other feelings. A couple of months later I woke up during the night and could hardly breathe and looking very pale and my wife drove me to the local hospital. I was rushed through Emergency and an ECG was done and I was told that I had a heart attack. I was then taken by ambulance to another hospital where a heart specialist put a tube up my groin and told me there were no blockages to the heart but that I had a broken heart which was caused by stress. I realized that I had not used a supervisor during the closure of the parish and now I still have such a person. Prior to this situation I did go to see a doctor who told me I had high blood pressure and anxiety and take regular medication for these conditions, the other symptom of stress is visiting the toilet frequently to urinate. As an older person I trust this writing will not be seen as an organ recital which often occurs with age.

— Bazza F