The stress response is activated when the body feels like our survival is in danger. In our prehistoric caveman days this usually meant being chased by a saber tooth tiger or preparing for combat with an enemy. These days sitting in traffic, getting into an argument, approaching deadlines at school or work, inadequate sleep, over working (including over exercising), or economic instability can all cause an activation of the stress response.
When the stress response is activated it initiates numerous metabolic and hormonal changes.
Our blood pressure goes up, we breath faster, stored sugar is released into the blood, and our cholesterol levels increase in preparation for fighting or running away. Our blood also clots (to prevent us from bleeding to death) and our digestive system as well as our immune system shuts down to conserve energy so that we can utilize our resources to ensure our survival.
When the stress response is chronically activated we cannot properly process our food to obtain the nutrients that we need and we can not heal or repair because our immune system is compromised.
So before we even begin to try to reverse any health condition that we might be experiencing we must first deactivate the stress response and activate the relaxation response. Without this crucial step no true healing can begin.
What is the relaxation response?
It is the nervous system circuit that activates relaxation. It activates our digestive system and immune system . It relaxes the heart and dilates our blood vessels so that we can reduce our blood pressure. It allows us to rest and repair. More importantly it allows us to build. This is the mode that we want our bodies to be in for most of the time.
The Stress response breaks things down in the body, while the relaxation response is involved in building things up in the body. We want to be building, growing, repairing, and relaxing.
So how do we activate the relaxation response ?
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1-Slow and deep breathing- Take 3-5 minutes several times a day to breath deeply. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth slowly and deeply. You will quickly notice that your heart (and thus in turn your blood pressure) will go down and you feel more relaxed. Do this before you get out of bed in the morning, before meals, while you are waiting in line, after a workout, before bedtime, and especially if you have just gotten into an argument or other stressful situation.
2- Touch- Human touch activates the relaxation response. Get a massage often, touch your skin, get some reiki, have sex, hug friends and loved ones often.
3-Sound- "music calms the beast" Listen to some soft soothing music.
4-Scents-lavender is one of the most well known relaxing scents. Put a few drops of 100% pure lavender essential on a cotton ball and place under your pillow. You can also add a few drops to your bath water, or get a lavender scented candles (make sure it is real lavender essential oil).
5-Warm baths- Taking a warm bath is soothing and relaxing. You can add dead sea salt and lavender essential oil in your bath water. If you want to go all out add soothing music and light some scented candles.(don't forget to shut the lights)
6-Sun light-get plenty of sun without sunscreen but be careful not to burn. (the majority of sunscreens are full of toxins and carcinogens and they prevent you from getting vitamin D !!!)
Sun light and warmth tells your body all is safe and facilitates relaxation and healing.
7-Nutritional supplements-Magnesium glycinate, Gaba, Melatonin, calming teas like chamomile, and kava can all help turn of the stress circuitry and turn on the relaxation response.
8-Sleep-make sure that you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep per day.
Disclaimer
This blog is for educational purposes only. Nothing written here is meant to cure, treat, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been approved by the FDA
