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Relaxation Tips That Work :

Aug 16, 2007

We all get stressed out once in a while. Tension-producing events can happen anywhere and at any time -- at home, at work, while driving or running errands, when dealing with money matters or with loved ones. Of course, what causes anxiety for one person can be seen as an exciting challenge for another. But no matter how we perceive stressful events, long-term stress can be bad for your health.

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It's tough to fight stress when you're probably juggling so many aspects of your life, but while you are making other important changes in your new healthy lifestyle, it's essential that you attempt to reduce stress as well.Fight-or-Flight -- May No Longer Feel Right
The "fight-or-flight" response (also known as the stress response) was once essential to the survival of ancient man. It is an automatic reaction to danger -- to fight back or to flee from a threatening situation. Today, we may not have to worry about being attacked by a wild animal (well, most of us, anyway!), but this response remains in our systems, ready to come to life whenever anything stressful crosses our paths.

During nerve-wracking situations, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and muscle tension rise. With those physical reactions, it's no surprise that long-term stress may lead to permanent and harmful changes in our bodies, such as heart disease or even certain cancers.

Try to Relax -- It's All in Your Mind
The relaxation response can counteract the fight-or-flight response, reducing the harmful stress-related changes to your body. Just as your heart begins to beat rapidly when you imagine a frightening situation, your mind can also slow your heart rate. It's important to combat stress with relaxation techniques as often and as much as you can, especially if you already are at risk for developing heart disease or diabetes.

Some techniques to try:

Meditation

Guided imagery

Mindfulness

Taking slow, deep breaths

Muscle relaxation

Yoga

Tai Chi

Try out a variety of stress-reducing methods and see which of them work best for you. What can you expect if you relax regularly? Great news! Participants in stress-reduction programs report these kinds of changes:

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