STRESS REDUCTION

Stress affects us all. The deleterious effects of excess stress have been well documented in a wide range of medical publications.

Thousands of research articles, studies and books prove beyond a shadow of doubt, that stress can be a factor in any disease, as it alters biochemistry and neurological functioning, and can weaken the immune system and the digestive tract.

This neuro-psychological-immuno link is well established in many peer reviewed medical journals on Psychoneuroimmunology.

Stress can trigger the body’s response to perceived threat or danger, the Fight-or-Flight response.

During this reaction, certain hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released, speeding the heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood flow to major muscle groups, and changing various other autonomic nervous functions, giving the body a burst of energy and strength.

Originally named for its ability to enable us to physically fight or run away when faced with danger, it’s now activated in situations where neither response is appropriate, like in traffic or during a stressful day at work.

When the perceived threat is gone, systems are designed to return to normal function via the relaxation response, but in times of chronic stress, this often doesn’t happen, causing damage to the body if stress is not reduced and managed.

Increased Heart Rate, which can lead and / or contribute to heart conditions. Hormonal Fluctuations, which can lead and / or contribute to endocrine, reproductive, digestive disorders, obesity, diabetes and mental disorders.

Constriction of muscles and blood vessels, can lead and / or contribute to pain, tension, circulatory issues, cardio-pulmonary issues and asthma.

The suppression of non-essential life processes, which affects reproduction, higher executive brain function, digestion and immunity.

Many people think of stress only in terms of things like deadlines at work, family or relationship stress, financial pressures, traffic jams, or the death of a loved one perhaps.

However, stress reactions also occur on the unconscious, cellular, subtle or energetic levels each time we are exposed to a toxin, pathogen or allergen; and every time our body experiences a nutritional deficiency or excess.

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WHAT MAY BE CONSIDERED “STRESS RELIEF”?
Anything that relieves mundane stress on a daily basis, such as relaxation, can help. However, Hans Selye, a Hungarian medical scientist, was the first to use the word “stress” in connection with a picture of health wellness. His theory is that when the body reacts to stress, it creates an “alarm” response.

That means that your body is in good shape to react accordingly to any given stressor, hopefully appropriately and effectively in ways that relieve it. 
 
If the stress continues, however, an “adaptation” state may result, where we learn to accommodate or bear the symptoms of stress by adjusting to them.

This can, more positively, mean creating an increase in our tolerance to frustration and moving back into the alarm state, which relieves the stress, or, negatively, reacting with an accommodating adjustment that (temporarily) alleviates the pain of the stress but becomes a new holding pattern.

If the stress continues even longer, an “exhaustion” state is created that may lead to a considerably weakened system. This alarm / adaptation / exhaustion model fits all forms of stress, whether physical, mental, or emotional.
 
Obviously, reducing stress is a key to well-being. Relaxation helps, but how do we know where stress may be hiding in the adapted or exhausted states physically, mentally, and emotionally.
 
With the help of Quantum Biofeedback, we can painlessly and non-invasively look at reactions to common stressors and begin to piece the picture together.
 
Most people find the Biofeedback experience relaxing, soothing and beneficial. with may positive side effects such as relief from depression, enhanced memory, less pain, and much more. Contact us for even more information!