Stress Management

Stress Thermometer $17.95

Sonoma Lavender Eye Pillow $14.35

Deadlines and time pressures are not new challenges in today’s fast-paced, time-compressed world. Managing external and internal stressors is as important as ever. We can’t make stress go away, but we can manage the impact it has on us, both physically and mentally. By understanding the physiology of how stress affects us, we are empowered to take action that allows us to redirect negative stressful energy in a positive, productive, healthy way.

Modern science and medical researchers are discovering the significant impact stress has on chronic disease. Studies show that over time, the stressors of life that generate a prolonged “stress response” will produce internal chemicals that can contribute significantly to every major illness. These illnesses include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, infections, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.

The good news is that you have control over this physiological process! By utilizing stress management techniques on a regular basis, you can actually retrain your central nervous system to reduce or even stop the production of the harmful stress chemicals in your body. One common and useful technique is called biofeedback. Biofeedback has been used for many years in clinical settings. Now you can use this technique simply and easily in the privacy of your own home and on your own schedule very inexpensively!

The concept is simple. The stress thermometer measures your body temperature by touching your finger (no worries — absolutely no pain is associated with this process). A low body temperature means your central nervous system is stressed, while a higher body temperature means your central nervous system is more relaxed. It’s that simple! The easy to follow guidelines that come with the stress thermometer make it easy to incorporate this device into complimentary stress management practices, like the breathing exercise described on the sidebar of this page. By monitoring your body temperature while you perform this exercise, you’ll see your body temperature rise before your very eyes, as you retrain your central nervous system to stay relaxed, even in stressful situations!