Summary of Guide to Stress Reduction

Side Effects of Stress

Our ancient ancestors had to worry about becoming a meal and so had to be aware of every movement and sound around them. Stress evolved as a response to help them either flee from the cause of their stress or fight it. In our modern world, we assume we must simply live with stress and accept it as a part of modern life. Sadly, we don’t see the negative effects on our health and the quality of our lives until it is too late.

If you suffer from regular aches and pains, headaches and insomnia, but your doctor has confirmed you don’t have an underlying medical condition, you will benefit from stress reduction. Many people have reduced or eliminated stress and its attendant physical side effects by using these techniques. Everyone needs some stress to motivate and stimulate them, but choosing to take on stress for a specific short-term purpose is very different from accepting unwanted and even unrecognized stress as a constant part of your life.

Relaxation

The fight-or-flight response triggers an array of physical responses, including an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and an injection of adrenaline and sugar. These should...