The last thing I think of when I'm stressed out with work deadlines and complicated homework projects with the kids is to get on my knees or attend Mass. But a growing body of research suggests prayer and religion rank high among the best stress busters.
In her new book, "The SuperStress Solution," Dr. Roberta Lee devotes a section to the topic of spirituality and prayer. She writes: "Research shows that people who are more religious or spiritual use their spirituality to cope with life. They're better able to cope with stress, they heal faster from illness, and they experience increased benefits to their health and wellbeing. On an intellectual level, spirituality connects you to the world, which in turn enables you to stop trying to control things all by yourself. When you feel part of a greater whole, it's easy to understand that you aren't responsible for everything that happens in life."
Among the research she cites is one study of approximately 126,000 people that found that the people who frequently attended services increased their odds of living by 29 percent. Another study conducted by the National Institute for Health Care Research (NIHR) illustrated that the Canadian college students who were connected to their campus ministries visited doctors less often and were less stressed during difficult times than the other students. The students who had strong religious correlations also had higher positive feelings, lower levels of depression, and were better equipped at handling stress.
Dr. Lee points to the research of Harold Koenig, M.D., associate professor of medicine and psychiatry at Duke University, who surveys more than a thousand studies appraising the effects of prayer on health in his book "Handbook of Religion and Health." Among them:
Originally published on Beyond Blue at Beliefnet.com. To read more of Therese, visit her blog, Beyond Blue at Beliefnet.com, or subscribe here. You may also find her at www.thereseborchard.com.
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It is certainly true that being with other people (with or without touch) is a good antidote for stress. This is why people who are actively engaged in a religious community generally show lower levels of stress. However, solitary activities such as praying and meditation lets us connect with our innermost core and always puts us in the here and now where we can focus our awareness on what IS. And what IS, is no stress.
Dr Christine Maingard, Author of "Think Less, Be More" - http://www.thinklessbemore.com
Well, if you look at what nature has planned for stress reduction in primates, examples abound in studies involving hunter-gatherer societies and our closest living genetic relatives, chimps and bonobos.
Stress reduction in nature is all about touch of another living being. In hunter gatherers, hugging, dancing together, and grooming are the way to go. In chimps and bonobos, it is all about grooming each other. Modernly, that might be translated into hugs, hand holding, massage, hair styling, dancing together, and good old lovemaking. Pets often serve as a surrogate for touch, with great results.
Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com
As we live in our society controlled world we face a lot of stress and these unpleasant consciousness often remain trapped in our memories. We cannot delete memory like a computer can without severe mental consequences but we can deal with those trapped consciousness by neutralizing it or even covert those energy to usefulness. When you pray to a God or some other deities and open up by pouring out your problem you are actually converting those negative consciousness. By the method I described it directly releases those trapped consciousness. Do
you still remember being puished in schooled or maybe your first fight. Why?.
"Christians are more likely to experience divorce than are non-Christians," Barna Research Group, 1999-DEC-21, at: http://www.barna.org/ Barna no longer has this report online. However, a review of the report is at: http://www.adherents.com/
The US is has one of the highest incarceration rates. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States
We are also one of the most religious with the lowest percentage of atheists. See here: http://www.gallup-international.com/ContentFiles/news_detail.asp?id=36
Here is an study regarding teen pregnancy and religious belief. http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/womens-health/articles/2009/09/16/teen-birth-rates-higher-in-states-where-religion.html
I have faith in the predictable and unbiased actions of nature. It is comforting to me that this life is my opportunity to do something great and leave a legacy and then it is done. I do not want to die prematurely but I do not fear death because you need to be conscious to have feelings.
Lack of sleep also causes stress. If, after you have had a good night sleep and rest the stress disappears the next morning then that is all you need. No need to take pills.”
Once you have focus bring your attention to the most uncomfortable part/painful part in your head. If it is pain then bring the attention to the pain. Do not fear or push away the pain. If you can feel throbbing pressure then move towards it. Move towards the discomfort area slowly if you feel the pain or pressure become unbearable step back a bit but continue to be aware of it move back to the perimeter. Do not rush towards the pain. Just be aware of it and nothing else. Stay with the discomfort let it take center stage. After awhile the discomfort will dissipate. Move closer and just stay with it. After a while the discomfort will disappear. It may take a few minutes to an hour or it may take a few sessions of practice. Do not amplify the pain or think about it. Just have patience and be aware of it. Usually once the pain disappears you will be feeling sleepy. Rest.
The pain will come again but each time it will be lesser in strength and it will disappear eventually after some time of practice.”
As a community member in HuffPo Living section I share this with you. It is a gift of compassion.
This method was initially used to treat stress related migraine. I have a friend who had severe migraine caused by stress, induced few years back which he did not suspect was the cause. After many visits to doctors and a brain scan later which did not show the cause of his migraine and not wishing to go on long term medication I taught him this method and now he is cured of this problem.
I would like to share a method of handling stress/back pain that I practice.
Consult your doctor if you have migraine do what you can medically but if medication fails then you may try the following method.
Create some time and place for yourself perhaps in the evening after work when all is a bit quiet and settled.
Also I would be curious what it is that you place your faith in?