Just what is stress? Stress is the body’s way of responding to any type of demand or perceived threat. The body enters a state of alertness - muscles tense, breathing becomes faster, heart rate and blood pressure increase as does the production of certain hormones including adrenalin and cortisol. Some stress is good. It motivates us and can lead to positive change and personal growth. Stress becomes problematic when it is chronic and the body never has a chance to wind down. Chronic stress can cause a host of symptoms including irritability, fatigue, headaches, weight gain, insomnia, difficulty concentrating and stomach aches or intestinal distress.
We can’t avoid all stress but we can counteract its negative
effects by learning how to evoke the relaxation response. The relaxation response is a powerful antidote
to stress. It brings the nervous system
back into balance. There are a variety of
techniques to produce the relaxation response.
These techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing,
tai chi, yoga and meditation.
Over the next few weeks I will discuss several of these relaxation
techniques, and provide tools that you can start using immediately to reduce
stress and increase well-being. Experiment with several of them until you find
the technique that works best for you. Learning the basics of these techniques isn’t difficult, but achieving
continued benefit does take regular practice.
Most experts recommend setting aside 10-15 minutes a day for your
relaxation practice.
Awareness is the first step in coping with stress. Do you suspect that stress might be a
problem? Take The Stress Test to find
out. Looking for stress relieving
suggestions that you can implement today? Read my post Ways to relieve Stress Naturally. Until next week.…just remember to BREATH.
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