Yoga and Meditation

No one will argue that this world is full of stressors in response to the ever changing lifestyles we have due to the technological revolution. You may sometimes feel overwhelmed with your life and workload, but do not feel that you are alone. There are several things that can be done to keep you healthy and keep those stress levels at bay. Managing stress levels with biofeedback is an effective and easy way to help you feel better.

The stress response is an evolutionary response that developed in cave men to keep them safe. It prepared them for fight or flight from a physical threat by creating chemicals from hormones including adrenaline which helped them fight their aggressor or run away from it. As much as we sometimes would like to react this way as well, it is an inappropriate response in our daily lives.

Biofeedback involves paying attention to your automatic bodily functions that you normally do not notice. It involves practicing paying attention to your heart rate, your body temperature, your breathing, and your blood pressure. Take a minute and pay attention to these functions. If you are in a relaxed state, your heart should be beating moderately, your body temperature normal, your breathing at a slow and steady rhythm, and you should not notice your blood pressure. If you check them periodically, you will discover what your normal levels are.

When you become hot in the face, it is a sign that your blood pressure is beginning to rise. Another sign is sweating when it is not warm as your body tries to cool itself. An additional sign of a rising blood pressure is a rushing sound in your ears. You may have noticed this sound while exercising. The stress response will also cause your breathing to become quick and shallow or even heavy and labored.

By using biofeedback, you can force yourself into a stress free state by first focusing on normalizing your breathing. Try to relax while taking slow and deep breaths. Once you have normalized your breathing, your heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure will soon return to their normal levels. Keep the breathing exercises up for a few minutes after you have felt them all return to normal.

If you continue to practice this technique, you will eventually be able to recognize a rise in stress level before it becomes severe. Eventually you will even find yourself doing the breathing exercise automatically.

If you are undergoing high levels of stress constantly, it is recommended that you visit your doctor for professional advice. Since the chemicals created by the fight or flight response build up in your system if they are not removed by exercise they can lead to severe health problems including heart disease and stroke. Your doctor will be able to decide if you qualify for a medication to help complement your biofeedback exercises.

Finally, it is a good idea to keep yourself practicing an active lifestyle. The chemicals created by the stress response can be removed by participating physical activity. Even a fifteen minute walk has been found to reduce these chemicals. If you join a gym or take up a hobby that requires physical exertion, you will be well on the way to stomping out the negative effects of your stressful lifestyle.

Sienna Langspot deals with her stress levels with the Heartmath from Better Health Innovations, an industry leader in health, wellness, and fitness.