by Tanya Zilberter, PhD
The
great clinical success of the at least 37 studies
of the "Relaxation Response", conducted starting as early as 1970s
serves
for scientific support of this idea. 
The great clinical success of the at least 37 studies of the
"Relaxation Response", conducted starting as early as 1970s serves for
scientific support of this idea. Dr. H. Benson, one of the authors of
the best-sellers "The Relaxation Response" and "Beyond the
Relaxation Response" wrote in 1975:
"The frequent elicitation of the physiologic changes associated with
the
emergency reaction has been implicated in the development of diseases
such
as hypertension. Prevention and treatment of these diseases may be
through the use of the relaxation response, an integrated hypothalamic
response whose physiologic changes appear to be the counterpart of the
emergency reaction" (Int. J Psychiatry Med. 6 (1-2): 87-98,1975).
[The hypothalamus is a structure
in the basis of the brain, which controls many important body
functions, T.Z.]
It has been shown that this technique, including breathing awareness
as
a major component, yet simple, is efficient in solving many somatic and
psychological
problem, reducing hypertension, insomnia, anxiety, pain, and medication
use
across multiple populations, diagnostic categories, and settings. It
has
been also concluded that this approach also can be used to treat
certain common pediatric problems, such as headaches, enuresis, acute
and chronic pain, and habit disorders.
This is how the relaxation response is scientifically defined
recently:
"The relaxation response is an integrated psycho-physiologic
response originating
in the hypothalamus that leads to a generalized decrease in arousal of
the
central nervous system. As such it is the physiologic antithesis of the
stress
response" (Mandle C.L .et al., "J. Cardiovascular Nursing" 10 (3):
4-26,1996).
This is how simply you can elicit the relaxation response:
1. Choose a short phrase or a word that holds great meaning for you,
or
perhaps a phrase with religious meaning
2. Sit down on a chair in a quiet environment with your spine
straight
3. Close your eyes
4. Use progressive relaxation technique ( what's this?)
5. Breathe slowly and naturally. As you do, focus on your word or
phrase.
Repeat it to yourself each time you exhale. If your thoughts distract
you,
simply return to your word or phrase.
6. Continue the technique for 10 to 20 minutes. Use this technique
upon
waking in the morning and just before going to bed at night for optimum
results.
Read more about breathing:
Breathing
Awareness Exercise
Is Deep
Breathing Dangerous?
To Breathe or
not to Breathe?
Relaxation
Response
Oxycise and
Breathing Exercises
October 31, 2006 @ 6:57 am Filed under Recipes
and Foods, Exercise, Low Carb
Low
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To dress up your cheesecake with pumpkin flavor, use this trick for a
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Permalink
October 30, 2006 @ 11:16 am Filed under Tips, FAQ,
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and Foods, Exercise, Low Carb
Its
simple to start a diet, but its not always easy to stay on one
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Because peppers are one of The Sonoma Diet power foods, we all know the
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October 27, 2006 @ 7:13 am Filed under Success
Stories, Recipes
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There are three problems concerning balancing low-carb diets
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Since a low-carb diet is generally higher in fat and protein, its
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How exactly calorie restriction works to prolong life is unknown. One
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About the weight-loss plateau and one of its aspects that is rarely
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Top 21 Power
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You can take any of your normal meals and by incorporating a few of the
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weight without giving up your favorite foods
eDiets Exclusive: Biggest Loser Chef Spills Secrets
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October 25, 2006 @ 11:19 am Filed under Tips, FAQ,
Q&A, Recipes
and Foods, Diet Reviews
The 7 Most Overrated Foods
Millions are spent on food advertising and marketing, so you need to be
a smart and savvy consumer
Hunger
Or Boredom?
How to Stop Snacking. By Jillian Michaels
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Its popularity is currently soaring in the United States
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And Fit?
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Diet
To Go Menus
Your healthy weight is a weight at which you feel good about yourself
and have energy for work and play
Watch
Out for Trans Fats
Considered to be the unhealthiest of all fats, these partially
hydrogenated oils can send your bad cholesterol levels soaring
