The relationship between stress and illness is complex and how it affects individuals vary based on many factors including genetics, mental and emotional states, support system and even how our parents dealt with stress. While in a stressed out state, aka as survival, we assess the seriousness and then determine if we have the resources to resolve the problem. If we don't feel like we have the resources for "survival", that is when problems can ensue, from numbing the thoughts, engaging in unhealthy behaviors or retreating from life. Initially, stress can be positive and helps us to perform at optimal levels. One result is our brain becomes sharper as we engage beta brain waves to help us problem-solve. It can also improve performance in the athletic arena. But, when we are in a chronic state of fight or flight, it can cause decreased immune function, poor blood flow to GI tract & reproductive areas and can even be responsible for things like osteoporosis! Meditation is considered one of the optimal ways to reduce stress. The problem for many is the inability to "turn the brain/thoughts off", leading to frustration and giving up. There are many meditation styles that are very effective and it just might mean trying them until you find the one that resonates with you. For me, I was a "meditator" for years...at least I thought I was. I would sit for at least 20 minutes 4 to 5 times per week but never fully able to let go of my thoughts. I would get bored and stop. Maybe if I had "sat" longer, I would have gotten "there". The only time I felt I was able to go deep and let go of my monkey brain was after a very long and difficult yoga practice. This is one of the reasons I truly love working with brainwave entrainment. I learned through the Stress Response Evaluation in 2012, that my brain was overengaging "beta", even while I was trying to meditate. There was a physical reason to my barrier to meditate deeply. After using the brainwave entrainment device for about a month, I was able to easily let go of my thoughts and meditate. This helped me immediately reduce my levels of stress and even sleep deeper. About a year after using this for the first time, I redid my Stress Response Evaluation and sure enough, my beta levels were lower while trying to relax with my eyes closed and my alpha (meditative brainwaves) were higher when they were supposed to be! The image above reflects the changes in an individual's brain after just one session with the brainwave entrainment device I use! This is not unusual and I see these responses all the time. It truly is life changing. Reference: Life Event, Stress and Illness
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