Stress is defined as the body’s reaction to the demands and pressures of the outside world (Understanding Your Sources of Stress). Everyone is exposed to stress. What varies however is the degree and intensity in which the one experiences it (Stress Overview). Stress can come from a variety of sources (these sources are referred to as stressors) but these could be grouped under two major categories: those from external exasperations and the other, from internal irritations (Understanding Your Sources of Stress). External exasperations refer to events or circumstances that occur in an individual’s life.
These may either be under his control or not. Examples of such stressors are major life changes, concerns involving the family, workplace and environment; as well as social and unpredictable events (Understanding Your Sources of Stress). Internal irritations on the other hand, constitute stressors which are self induced. Unrealistic expectations, attitudes, fears and uncertainties belong to this aforementioned category (Understanding Your Sources of Stress). While stress is often thought to bring about aversive health consequences; a small amount of stress is seen as beneficial.
Indeed, small doses of stress can improve concentration, heighten awareness and even provide increased energy (Stress Overview). The same is not true however in cases wherein the individual is exposed to prolonged periods of stress. Studies show that the human body can become sensitized to stress; much as it gets sensitized to allergy – inducing agents (Stress: It’s Worst Than You Think). As a consequence of such sensitization process; the body works overtime to respond to the smallest incidents of stress.
In order to understand why such sensitization process happens, it is important to examine the evolution of the mechanism which is involved in the process of stress reduction. Stress in the past is usually caused by external physical threats such as the presence of predators and assailants or the effects of the onslaught of natural disasters (Stress: Unhealthy Response to the Pressures of Life). In the present, such cases present fictional scenarios. Today, humans are not just forced to contend with these external threats but with a multitude of new threats.
It is often believed that our times have caused us to cut our leisure and grieving times in halves or even less (Stress: It’s Worst Than You Think). And while the body is equipped with mechanisms that will help it deal with external physical threats; it is not as equally adept at handling “technology – manufactured” threats (Stress: Unhealthy Response to the Pressures of Life) such as handling a major presentation or preparing for a big job interview. As such, the body reacts to these new stressors as it would react to the major stressors of the past – by going on an all – out mode of defense.
Thus, the constant activation of such mechanism can, instead of protecting the individual, make one more prone to health and even life – threatening problems (Stress: Unhealthy Response to the Pressures of Life). Our culture is not only associated with the development of numerous technological innovations; it has also been termed as the era of stress. Industries offering various forms of stress reduction techniques and programs are thriving in this era more than in any other (Stress: It’s Worst Than You Think).
Yoga, one of such stress reduction mechanisms, is not meriting a great deal of attention not only from the general public but also from the scientific field as well. Yoga is an integral part of the Hindu religion and is often considered as a way of life. Its goal is to attain a feeling of utter peace in mind and in body (Yoga: Minimize Stress, Maximize Flexibility and Even More). The attainment of such goals, especially when adhering to the traditional yoga philosophy, is through meditation, behavior and eating habits.
Few people however are inclined to take such complete lifestyle changes. For instance, people from the United States practice yoga primarily for its benefits involved in increasing flexibility, inducing relaxation or relieving stress (Yoga: Minimize Stress, Maximize Flexibility and Even More). There are different types of yoga but hatha yoga is considered as the most popular type of yoga in the West (Yoga: Minimize Stress, Maximize Flexibility and Even More). It is even considered by many as the most effective form in terms of relieving stress.
This is because hatha yoga incorporates specific postures (termed as asanas), meditation and deep abdominal breathing techniques (referred to as pranayamas) (Yoga: It’s Not Just An Exercise) in the attainment of the aforementioned goal of stress reduction. Indeed, the effectiveness of hatha yoga as a stress reduction mechanism has been exhibited by a patient suffering from bipolar disorder; even reporting that the incidence of her panic attacks was subsiding (Yoga: It’s Not Just An Exercise) since she started practicing the said activity on a regular basis.
What methods or process then are involved in making yoga a good stress reduction mechanism that it is? For one, studies have found that taking a single yoga class can lower the levels of cortisol in the blood. Lowering cortisol levels is specifically important since cortisol has been linked to a variety of potentially life – threatening health problems (Krucoff, 2006). Moreover, the steps involved in yoga such as meditation, deep abdominal breathing techniques and certain postures (Yoga: It’s Not Just An Exercise) are effective methods of relieving stress themselves.
In summary, yoga is a very effective stress reduction means since it focuses our attention to the steps involved in its execution. For instance, people taking yoga classes are told to concentrate on their breathing while performing particular stances. Indeed, one finds it difficult to think about a major job interview or presentation when the individual is absorbed in the said task.
References Krucoff, C. (2006). Why Yoga Makes You Relax. Prevention. com. Retrieved from http://health. yahoo. com/stress-prevention/why-yoga-makes-you-relax/prevention–21350.html at November 24, 2007. Stress Overview. (2007). Retrieved from http://www. emedicinehealth. com/stress/article_em. htm#Stress%20Overview at November 23, 2007. Stress: It’s Worst Than You Think. (1996).
Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://health. yahoo. com/stress-overview/stress-it-s-worse-than-you-think/pt–Psychology_Today_articles_pto-19960101-000027. html;_ylt=AvqVzNxopwVS. gx9pRltwZjBtcUF at November 23, 2007.
Stress: Unhealthy response to the pressures of life. (2006). MayoClinic. com. Retrieved from http://health. yahoo.com/stress-overview/stress-unhealthy-response-to-the-pressures-of-life/mayoclinic–76F75B48-39C9-42CE-AC10563A6FFB68E8. html at November 23, 2007. Understanding Your Sources of Stress. (2006). MayoClinic. com. Retrieved from http://health. yahoo. com/stress-overview/understand-your-sources-of-stress/mayoclinic–11188EF9-E7FF-0DBD-1F000BF4D482945B. html at November 23, 2007.
Yoga: It’s Not Just An Exercise. 2000. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://health. yahoo. com/depression-treatment/yoga-it-s-not-just-an-exercise/pt–Psychology_Today_articles_pto-20001101-000022. html at November 24, 2007.