My latest blog at http://www.dr-lobisco.com/stressed-out/ discusses the mind-body connection of stress and physical health. I highlighted one way to modulate the stress effect with mediation.
Below are more examples and excerpts on how to manage the stress response:
Laughing Decreases Stress (Am J Med Sci.1989 Dec; 298(6):390-6.)
Abstract: Positive emotional activities have been suggested as modifiers of neuroendocrine hormones involved in the classical stress response. To detect changes in these components during a mirthful laughter experience, the authors studied 10 healthy male subjects. Five experimental subjects viewed a 60 minute humor video and five control subjects did not. ...These biochemical changes have implications for the reversal of the neuroendocrine and classical stress hormone response.
Source: Berk LS,et al.Neuroendocrine and stress hormone changes during mirthful laughter. PMID: 2556917
Gardening Reduces Stress on Caregivers (Alzheimer's Association)
(CHICAGO) November 3, 2008 - According to the Alzheimer's Association 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report, more than 40 percent of the 10 million American unpaid caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high. However, according to a BHG.com online survey of 1,340 respondents, nearly 60 percent of respondents say gardening relaxes them.
Continued at: http://www.alz.org/national/documents/release_110308_garden.pdf
Mom Can Actually Reduce Stress??!! (Scientific America)
Yup, a phone call to mom can raise oxytocin, the bonding hormone!
Reisa Mehlman
Dr. Sarah Lobisco
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