Rob Williams
MSW, MBA, LGSW
Psychotherapy
Individual, Group, & Couples
202.330.5390
1555 Connecticut AV NW Suite 401
Washington
DC
20036
4920 Niagara Road
College Park MD 20740
www.aida-therapy.com
Send me your questions!
rob@aida-therapy.com
Visit on the
Web:
www.aida-therapy.com
“Stress has been linked with physical problems such as heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal problems and asthma, as well as emotional problems like depression, anxiety and an inability to enjoy life.”
Exercises that elicit the relaxation response can help your body erase the cumulative effects of stress, according to a new report from Harvard Medical School.
“What does that mean?” Lets look more closely:
The relaxation response, the opposite of the stress response, is a state of profound rest and release. A number of physiological changes occur during the relaxation response.
When a person meditates, for example, heartbeat and respiration slow down. The body uses less oxygen and produces less carbon dioxide. Blood lactate levels, which some researchers believe are linked with anxiety attacks, decline markedly. Blood pressure tends to stabilize in healthy individuals and drop significantly in people with hypertension. Studies have shown that this decrease in blood pressure persists with regular meditation.
Meditation is only one way to elicit the relaxation response. Other methods include deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi and repetitive prayer. What's crucial is that the method enables a person to interrupt everyday thoughts by focusing on a word, phrase, prayer or repetitive muscular activity.
The report recommends practicing relaxation techniques once or twice a day, for a total of 10 to 20 minutes daily. Evidence suggests the more often a person practices these techniques, the better the outcome.
This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis
or a substitute for professional care. Each person’s
situation is unique. If you’re having a hard time
using this or other tips, don’t hesitate to call me. We’ll find something
that works for you. I’m here to help.
Best Regards ,
Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW
Getting Help and Support from the Author: If you know of someone in need of help regarding a mental health issue, please give me a call. I’m here to help. 202.330.5390 or rob@aida-therapy.com
Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW
1555 Connecticut AV NW, Suite 401, Washington,
DC
20036
4920 Niagara Road, College Park, MD 20740
202.330.5390
Copyright 2007 Rob Williams. All rights reserved.
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