how does stress reduction benefit people?

Answer 1

Most of the answers here are in general correct. They all tell you what stress can do to you but not how it does it.
That is because it is not entirely straightforward........Take the example of the dog barking and entering the room where the cat was (one the answers above). The cats fright, flight, and fight mechanism kicks into place. A shed load of adrenaline is released. If the cat wants to jump through the window for a quick get away, its need power (blood flow and energy) to its legs and so, it reflexes shuts down blood flow to a less useful organ like the stomach (at least for the time benig). Other things happen, the heart beats faster and harder and so on. So you can imagine if this happens 24h a day, 7 day week etc. The heart beats faster and harder all that time and with time may become weak and ineffective.
Stress also causes long term hormone changes bsides the acute (adrenaline rush). It causes release of cortisol - a hormone that controls fat, sugar and protein use in your body.
To put it simply, the more you mess with this the more messed up you become. You lay down fat where it ought not to be, you don't use yor sugars well and .............obesity, diabetes, etc
And we haven't even go to emotional/psychological aspect yet.
I hope I have provided a deeper insight into the "how does......
Now if your reduce stress or prevent/limit stress or cope with it better, you will limit/prevent these maladaptive responses.....hence the benefit of stress reduction.

Answer 2

Stress affects every part of your body.
Chronic stress can cause many illnesses.
Not the least of which are ulcers, skin breakouts and headaches.
Since stress affects many parts of the body; it can lead to poor health, chronic health problems and even an early death.
Consequently stress reduction can benefit you in many different ways.
Not only in alleviating those headaches you get everyday.
But in that ulcer waiting for you in your 40's , as well as the high blood pressure in your 50's and the stroke in your 60's.
Reduce the stress today and live longer and happier!

Now~~~~ take a deep breath~~~
in through the nose~~~
exhale through the mouth~~~~
relax~~~~~~~~~and~~~~~~~ smile!!!!!

Answer 3

In an experiment the stomach of a cat which has been recently fed was under observation to study the digestive process. Suddenly a dog entered barking. The cat got tense and the digestive process which was running smoothely till then suddenly stopped in its tracks. It did not resume till the dog was driven out. This shows the effect of stress and tension on the metabolism. adversely affecting the assimmilation of food and consequently denying the whole effect on the body.The tensionneed not necessarily be physical as in the case of the cat and dog but could be mental,emotional,sentimental. One can see rich persons to whom all the wholesome foods are available always complaioning of weakness. This weakness is the result of stress which should be avoided.The elders say that at least at the time of taking meals we should do it in a carefree atmosphere for the food ingested tohelp us.

Answer 4

Because that will help you decrease dangers and risk of stress.
-stress diminishes the quality of life by reducing feelings of pleasure and accomplishment.
-Stress can cause anxiety disorder or depression.
-Sudden stress increases the pumping action and rate of the heart and causes the arteries to constrict, thereby posing a risk for blocking blood flow to the heart.
-prolonged stress can disrupt the digestive system, irritating the large intestine and causing diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and bloating.
Etc.......

Answer 5

It greatly helps one live longer to reduce stress and it prevents a series of illnesses from developing, ur reward?
u have more stress thrown in your lifetime again and again, learn to reduce the stress just to learn to deal w/the next problem, lol

Answer 6

Do yoga it reduces stress, stress reduction helps because stress can make you crack

Answer 7

Oh if you can keep from getting stressed you wouldn't believe the benefits. It eats away at your whole body. Muscles, mind, heart, blood pressure, skin, oral issues, emotions, etc...

Answer 8

They feel better, because the burden of stress in no longer interfering with normal bodily functions.

Answer 9

Stress has a very real effect on you physical health. It can weaken your immune system

Answer 10

The same way clean water helps fish.