The antidote to stress is relaxation. Most people grasp this idea at a basic level but scientists at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital have proven it goes much, much deeper than that! The "Relaxation Response" changed the study subjects, all the way down to their DNA, in a beneficial way.  Medical study subjects  used a breath focus exercise that resulted  in slowing cell death and reducing body inflammation. The staff and patients at our Pain Center are on the cutting edge of research as we learn similar biofeedback and mindfulness techniques.

The "Relaxation Response" worked on rats too!  They healed up wounds when they were happy and relaxed, but healed much slower when they were stressed and lonely.  The rats 'relaxed' by chewing up bedding material and socializing with their rat buddies. Luckily we humans just need to close our eyes, repeat a word, sound, prayer or thought while we sit quietly and breathe.  Remember to return to the chosen word when other thoughts intrude. Try this for 10 minutes twice a day.

Information brought to you by Lori Caldwell-Ritsema PA-C (course attendee) and  Harvard University, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine @ Massachusetts General Hospital