| Hans Selye first coined the word "stress." He | | | | martial arts movement works the whole body and |
| described in his seminal book "The Stress of Life" how | | | | helps bring about peace and calm. |
| "stress" is important to living. Without it we will die. He | | | | Meditation has long been shown to help people who |
| stated that through the "General Adaptation Syndrome | | | | are stressed. This is especially true when meditation is |
| (GAS)" our bodies are constantly adapting through the | | | | combined with deep breathing. Meditation, like Tai Chi, is |
| different stresses we face in order to grow. All living | | | | when the person is focused on one thing. Visualizing |
| matter has been growing through this process since | | | | the movement of the flame of a candle is very |
| the dawn of time. | | | | effective for focusing. One has to stay focused on the |
| Selye took the term "stress" from the construction | | | | movement of the flame while deep breathing. This |
| industry in describing how the body goes through | | | | focus on the movement helps one to stay away from |
| stress. He later wanted to backtrack on this, instead | | | | negative thoughts that tend to cause anxiety. |
| opting for GAS. But "stress" was already in place with | | | | Yoga also incorporates meditation into its exercise |
| the public. Where stress on a bridge or building can | | | | movements and has been used by practitioners for |
| cause an eventual collapse, stress on the human body | | | | centuries. Started in India, yoga has gained a large |
| causes the body to adapt. | | | | following throughout the world. Its popularity took off in |
| We also can have an impact on the way our bodies | | | | the 1960s and 1970s. The movement that forms the |
| handle stress through simple, yet effective techniques. | | | | basis of yoga combines flexibility, strength, and stamina |
| Some of these have been adopted from Eastern | | | | in order to hold the moves. |
| philosophies and exercises. By using various strategies | | | | More recently, kickboxing and MMA classes have |
| and techniques, you'll be able to conquer the stress in | | | | become popular. While they don't incorporate |
| your own life. | | | | meditation as part of their training, they can be a great |
| As Selye pointed out in his book, getting to | | | | stress reliever for some. Traditional martial arts are |
| homeostasis is what the mind and body are striving | | | | also great. |
| for. Being too relaxed can be just as bad as too | | | | Deep breathing has always been great at relieving |
| stressed. Our bodies constantly adapt to stress being | | | | stress quickly. Used in many different areas, including |
| placed upon it. When we exercise, our bodies adapt to | | | | hypnosis, deep breathing is a lost art that should be |
| it and grow. It's also a great way to relieve stress. | | | | brought back. Too many people are breathing wrong. |
| Talking a walk through a park is a great relaxing | | | | They tend to breathe from the upper chest area |
| exercise. | | | | thinking that is deep breathing. Deep breathing occurs |
| Some people need to be around other people to help | | | | when the diaphragm and abdominal muscles are |
| relieve stress. By going to a gym or some other | | | | involved in bringing air to the lower part of the lungs. By |
| fitness center, you'll be able to get some exercise and | | | | breathing in for a count of 4-10 and exhaling for the |
| meet people with similar tastes. | | | | same count. Relaxation can take place very quickly. |
| One type of exercise that is great, especially in a | | | | Even the military and first responders have started |
| group situation is Tai Chi. Many parks have instructors | | | | using various deep breathing techniques. |
| that teach groups the movements. Tai Chi also brings | | | | Hypnosis, visualization, guided imagery, and NLP |
| with it focused concentration in a meditative sort of | | | | techniques all offer excellent ways to relieve stress. |
| way. And meditation is itself a stress reliever. The slow | | | | More on this will be in upcoming articles. |