Rana Waxman mental and physical health therapies

Stress Management

How Stress Affects Us

Life is rapid. Common stressors are overwork/fatigue, fear, hate, hurry and tension. The adrenal glands are aversely affected, causing dis-ease such as arthritis, myositis, psychoses, anxiety, headaches, back pain and cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal malfunctioning. Anytime we habitually reinforce, through repetition, any stimulus (behavior, attitude, choice, negative thinking pattern) that is extreme, unusual or long lasting it can trigger an adaption syndrome in the body and become a stressor.

The Relaxation Response

Amazingly, the relaxation response comes naturally to the body (as seen in deep, dreamless sleep and deep meditation) and that is a powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga can help you activate this relaxation response, as can therapeutic treatments which actively decongest the system and promote the deep healing state.

Treating Psychosomatic Disorders

The body has its own internal pharmacy that needs to be allowed to work. The stresses and emotions that come up in daily life can overwhelm and thus impede the body's innate abilities to heal, aggravate existing illnesses and often result in maladaptive coping behaviours.