2006-10-16 03:00:43 · 4 answers · asked by Metaphysics_of _Presence 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Any exercise will help. But if you're having a great deal of stress you might want to investigate meditation. No, it doesn't have to be a eastern philosphy metaphysical experience.
The basis of meditation is stilling the mind and controlling the breathe. The reason that it works well to reduce stress is simple. Through millions of years of evolution the flight or fight response served us well. When our ancestors encountered a predator, they either ran away, or hit it on the head with a big stick. The flight or fight response allowed us to fight harder or run faster. The physical reaction is caused by adrenaline being pumped into the system, increasing blood pressure, shortening the breathe, and increasing the heart rate.
Today, our stress isn't caused by a saber toothed tiger, but by our boss, our spouse, etc... Well, when your boss yells at you, you can't run away or hit them on the head, at least I don't recommend it. So the causes of our stress are persistent. So, what can we do to end the flight or fight response?
The only portion of the response we have control over is the rate and type of our breathing. In a stressed state, we have short rapid breathes. By conciously deepening and slowing the breathe and stilling the mind we can end the physical response to stress. It takes some practice, but in a few weeks you can learn to stop the random thoughts from popping into your head.
Once you've reached a meditative state, you'll feel very awake, but calm, relaxed, and more focused on the moment.
2006-10-16 03:21:52 · answer #1 · answered by David C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lifting weights.... I started doing it 4 months ago, I do it for about 30 mins/4 days a week, and I am the happiest I have ever been. It really helps me through PMS and Stress from school. And I went from a size 5/6 to a 0/1. JUST from weights and I stopped drinking soda!
2006-10-16 03:03:48 · answer #2 · answered by Angel Eve 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple of really good articles on this exact subject at ( http://www.reducingstress.net ) They have a whole section on how stress relates to diet, exercise.
2006-10-17 15:00:41 · answer #3 · answered by marketingexpert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yoga & Pilates. They work for me! Good Luck
2006-10-16 03:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by nashvillekat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋