If you can't fight or flee, then flow.
The human body responds to stress in many ways. The main stress reaction in the body is called the "fight or flight" response, commonly referred to as "the stress response". When the body has this response, a number of changes happen without us being aware of it. Our muscles contract, preparing to fight or run away. Our bodies release stress hormones including adrenalin and cortisol. Our heart rate increases and our bodies start to sweat. These reactions are helpful when we have a physically stressful event (like encountering a bear while hiking in the forest).
However, these same reactions happen when we have psychological stressors like school, worries about grades, dating, finances, or upcoming decisions to make. While the stress response is helpful when we face physical threats, it is not at all helpful for psychological threats. Humans are the only animals that carry around stress in their minds, and this psychological stress can cause heart problems and strokes. Although we cannot avoid stress, we can learn how to deal with it. The Stress Management and Biofeedback Lab will help you learn how to relax while you are having stress and hopefully help prevent some possible stress related damage to your body.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Making the "Right" Choices
I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work. - Ben Franklin
Most college students are at a wonderful time in their lives that can also be difficult. Pressure to do well in school, date, get married, provide financially for themselves, and plan their futures can be overwhelming at times. This pressure can create anxiety about the future and the choices we have to make in the present. While these decisions have to be made, worrying about making the right decisions will not help us make better decisions. Worry can increase stress and anxiety which in turn decreases our ability to make a rational decision. One helpful tip for reducing anxiety about decision making is to view risk taking and making mistakes as valuable ways to learn. We will all make mistakes, and putting excessive pressure on ourselves to make the right decision does not help us make better decisions, it only makes us have more stress. Give yourself permission to make wrong decisions or to make mistakes during this new year. If you are not sure how to be less anxious about decisions, please contact the Biofeedback Center for help in reducing your stress.
Most college students are at a wonderful time in their lives that can also be difficult. Pressure to do well in school, date, get married, provide financially for themselves, and plan their futures can be overwhelming at times. This pressure can create anxiety about the future and the choices we have to make in the present. While these decisions have to be made, worrying about making the right decisions will not help us make better decisions. Worry can increase stress and anxiety which in turn decreases our ability to make a rational decision. One helpful tip for reducing anxiety about decision making is to view risk taking and making mistakes as valuable ways to learn. We will all make mistakes, and putting excessive pressure on ourselves to make the right decision does not help us make better decisions, it only makes us have more stress. Give yourself permission to make wrong decisions or to make mistakes during this new year. If you are not sure how to be less anxious about decisions, please contact the Biofeedback Center for help in reducing your stress.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Stress & Culture
Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness. ~Richard Carlson
American culture seems predisposed to accept extreme stress as proof of our success and effort. The more stress we have, we're perceived as more successful, better people. High levels of stress are not overtly encouraged in our culture, but stress is not dealt with effectively either. Many students we see in the Biofeedback Lab know that stress is a bad thing because of how it impacts them, or because they have been referred by friends or family due to high levels of stress, but very few students understand why they need to take care of themselves and how to effectively reduce stress levels.
The first step is recognizing that stress is impacting us and knowing that experiencing stress is normal. Once we know that, there are a variety of ways to deal with our stress. We can exercise to use up the stress endorphins, we can change our thoughts and perceptions about our stressors, or we can learn how to relax. At the Biofeedback Lab, we give you the opportunity to practice relaxation skills while gathering feedback about your stress measures in your body. Once you have had practice in the lab know how how to relax, you can practice on your own to see how much you can decrease your stress at home, work, or school.
American culture seems predisposed to accept extreme stress as proof of our success and effort. The more stress we have, we're perceived as more successful, better people. High levels of stress are not overtly encouraged in our culture, but stress is not dealt with effectively either. Many students we see in the Biofeedback Lab know that stress is a bad thing because of how it impacts them, or because they have been referred by friends or family due to high levels of stress, but very few students understand why they need to take care of themselves and how to effectively reduce stress levels.
The first step is recognizing that stress is impacting us and knowing that experiencing stress is normal. Once we know that, there are a variety of ways to deal with our stress. We can exercise to use up the stress endorphins, we can change our thoughts and perceptions about our stressors, or we can learn how to relax. At the Biofeedback Lab, we give you the opportunity to practice relaxation skills while gathering feedback about your stress measures in your body. Once you have had practice in the lab know how how to relax, you can practice on your own to see how much you can decrease your stress at home, work, or school.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Stress & Performance
Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation.
- Stephen C. Paul
When we have stress in our lives, we are not able to do as much as we would like to. A little amount of stress can be helpful to motivate us, but too much stress decreases our ability to do things well. When we have tests and projects and papers to do, being able to do this while relaxed will increase our abilities and performance. If you are not able to relax like you want to or find it hard to relax with everything you have to do, you can come in to the Biofeedback Lab to learn how to relax. You can contact us at (801) 422-3035
- Stephen C. Paul
When we have stress in our lives, we are not able to do as much as we would like to. A little amount of stress can be helpful to motivate us, but too much stress decreases our ability to do things well. When we have tests and projects and papers to do, being able to do this while relaxed will increase our abilities and performance. If you are not able to relax like you want to or find it hard to relax with everything you have to do, you can come in to the Biofeedback Lab to learn how to relax. You can contact us at (801) 422-3035
Monday, November 8, 2010
Interesting Article
There is an interesting article posted by Help Guide that has a few great tips for reducing your stress. My favorite tip is to avoid unnecessary stress. Who needs that right? For more great ideas on how to avoid stress and some stress management exercises try visiting the Stress Management and Biofeedback Lab's website. You can make an appointment, listen to some calming visualization scenes, or even just learn about the lab!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Relaxation Recordings
This site is currently under construction. Please check back later for updates.
Copyright Information: These recordings are provided for your personal, educational, and non-commercial use only and should not be copied, distributed, transmitted, posted or broadcast.
Medical Disclaimer: The information, recordings, and scripts found on this website are not intended to provide treatment of any medical condition, nor are they intended to replace the services of a physician or to provide any medical care. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, and particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
Autogenics
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Meditation
Meditation
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Beach Visualization
Beach Visualization
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
A Walk to the Testing Center
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
A Quiet Place Visualization
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Body Scan
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Breathing for Relaxation
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Performance Rehearsal
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Creation Visualization
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Special Place Visualization
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Healing Liquid Visualization
Music Composed by Kevin Macleod
Self-Hypnosis
Music from Ghosts I-IV is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike license.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
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