Exercises and meditation that elicit relaxation responses can help the body erase the cumulative effects of stress, according to a new study.
Meditation is only one way to elicit the relaxation response. Other methods include deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi and repetitive prayer, the study, prepared by the Harvard Medical School said.
"What is crucial is that the method enables a person to interrupt everyday thoughts by focusing on a word, phrase, prayer or repetitive muscular activity," the report explained, recommending practicing of relaxation techniques once or twice a day, for a total of 10 to 20 minutes.
"Evidence suggests the more often a person practices these techniques, the better the outcome,"
it added.
The report -- 'Stress Management: Techniques for Preventing and Easing Stress' -- noted that stress has been linked with such physical problems as heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal problems and asthma, as well as emotional problems like depression, anxiety and an inability to enjoy life.
The relaxation response, the opposite of the stress response, is a state of profound rest and release. A number of physiological changes occur during the relaxation response, it said.
When a person meditates, for example, heartbeat and respiration slow down. The body uses less oxygen and produces less carbon dioxide. Blood lactate levels, which some researchers believe are linked with anxiety attacks, decline markedly, it said.
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