Wellness Stress Management and the Relaxation Response Revised
There is a mind body connection whether you choose to believe it or not.
Those that choose not to believe this connection are leaving themselves defenseless to the daily barrage of stresses that attack our bodies.
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States according to many health sources; cerebrovascular (stroke) disease is #3.
Blood pressure control is essential in prevention of these catastrophic diseases.
Equally as important is to maintain quality of life in my opinion.
Many require prescription medication to help control their blood pressure.
Stress however is the ultimate killer as it increases blood pressure, heart rate and anxiousness to varying degrees tilting the balance even further in the wrong direction.
Daily stress is part of life especially in light of today's economy (February 2009).
Some people would say that stress to some degree pushes us to achieve, to be successful if you will.
While that may be true for some it can be a killer for others.
I read an interesting passage from Viktor E.
Frankel's book "Man's Search for Meaning"(2006:p 105): "I consider it a dangerous misconception of mental hygiene to assume that what man needs in the first place is equilibrium or, as it is called in biology, "homeostasis," i.
e.
, a tensionless state.
What man needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task.
" It boils down to HOW we cope with those stresses and ultimately how we RESPOND.
We cannot control our family history of heart disease.
There are many factors we CAN control: 1.
Smoking 2.
Diet 3.
Exercise 4.
Coping strategies Numbers 1-3 are for another discussion.
Most people are aware of their implications.
There is plenty of online information available.
So, let's focus on number 4, "coping strategies.
" "Coping" as defined by the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is: "to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success; b: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties...
" Coping in my opinion is about taking charge of your own self, being responsible for what you can control.
Don't get me wrong; medications have their place as do certain surgical procedures; BUT if you could do more for yourself and perhaps rely on little less on medicine and surgery wouldn't that be a good thing? Yoga, meditation, Zen, Buddhism are traditional techniques, teachings whose purpose is to restore "calm" in the body if you will.
These techniques have the capacity to promote a restful state in those willing to apply them.
Dr.
Herbert Benson author of "The Relaxation Response" a #1 bestseller discussed some of the science behind these techniques and I would recommend you read his book: He summarized four techniques based on those timeless techniques: 1.
A quiet environment: self explanatory; you are allowed! 2.
A mental device: repeated (silent or aloud) sound, work or phrase; even visual fixation of an object; the repetition keeps out the distractions; be aware of your breathing.
3.
A passive attitude: don't worry about relaxation, just let it happen; resume "the mental device.
" 4.
A comfortable position: to reduce muscular tension.
Ideally this is performed 10-20 minutes daily.
Allow yourself a few minutes before you stand up.
Some people are already doing this in the form of a daily prayer.
It does not matter how you do this, what matters that you do it consistently with whatever technique-word, sound phrase, or fixed gaze that works for you.
This is YOUR TIME and you deserve it.
If you are reading this you are most likely doing for everyone else but you.
You are allowed to say "I need to be on my own for 20 minutes, please do not disturb me" or something like that.
This 10-20 minute "mental vacation" will make a huge difference in your life if you let it happen.
I wish you health and prosperity always.
Those that choose not to believe this connection are leaving themselves defenseless to the daily barrage of stresses that attack our bodies.
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States according to many health sources; cerebrovascular (stroke) disease is #3.
Blood pressure control is essential in prevention of these catastrophic diseases.
Equally as important is to maintain quality of life in my opinion.
Many require prescription medication to help control their blood pressure.
Stress however is the ultimate killer as it increases blood pressure, heart rate and anxiousness to varying degrees tilting the balance even further in the wrong direction.
Daily stress is part of life especially in light of today's economy (February 2009).
Some people would say that stress to some degree pushes us to achieve, to be successful if you will.
While that may be true for some it can be a killer for others.
I read an interesting passage from Viktor E.
Frankel's book "Man's Search for Meaning"(2006:p 105): "I consider it a dangerous misconception of mental hygiene to assume that what man needs in the first place is equilibrium or, as it is called in biology, "homeostasis," i.
e.
, a tensionless state.
What man needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task.
" It boils down to HOW we cope with those stresses and ultimately how we RESPOND.
We cannot control our family history of heart disease.
There are many factors we CAN control: 1.
Smoking 2.
Diet 3.
Exercise 4.
Coping strategies Numbers 1-3 are for another discussion.
Most people are aware of their implications.
There is plenty of online information available.
So, let's focus on number 4, "coping strategies.
" "Coping" as defined by the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is: "to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success; b: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties...
" Coping in my opinion is about taking charge of your own self, being responsible for what you can control.
Don't get me wrong; medications have their place as do certain surgical procedures; BUT if you could do more for yourself and perhaps rely on little less on medicine and surgery wouldn't that be a good thing? Yoga, meditation, Zen, Buddhism are traditional techniques, teachings whose purpose is to restore "calm" in the body if you will.
These techniques have the capacity to promote a restful state in those willing to apply them.
Dr.
Herbert Benson author of "The Relaxation Response" a #1 bestseller discussed some of the science behind these techniques and I would recommend you read his book: He summarized four techniques based on those timeless techniques: 1.
A quiet environment: self explanatory; you are allowed! 2.
A mental device: repeated (silent or aloud) sound, work or phrase; even visual fixation of an object; the repetition keeps out the distractions; be aware of your breathing.
3.
A passive attitude: don't worry about relaxation, just let it happen; resume "the mental device.
" 4.
A comfortable position: to reduce muscular tension.
Ideally this is performed 10-20 minutes daily.
Allow yourself a few minutes before you stand up.
Some people are already doing this in the form of a daily prayer.
It does not matter how you do this, what matters that you do it consistently with whatever technique-word, sound phrase, or fixed gaze that works for you.
This is YOUR TIME and you deserve it.
If you are reading this you are most likely doing for everyone else but you.
You are allowed to say "I need to be on my own for 20 minutes, please do not disturb me" or something like that.
This 10-20 minute "mental vacation" will make a huge difference in your life if you let it happen.
I wish you health and prosperity always.
Source...