Research: How You Respond To Stress Determines Your Health in 10 Years

Another great article (linked) from The Art of Healing Magazine.
I love 2 exerpts in particular from this article:

“Our research shows that how you react to what happens in your life today predicts your chronic health conditions and 10 years in the future, independent of your current health and your future stress,” said David Almeida, professor of human development and family studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Pioneering psychiatrist Edmund Bergler, MD, observed that we do get attached to negativity and stress. In fact, he called such attachments a reflection of our basic neurosis, suggesting that we actually – subconsciously – learn to prefer the displeasure of stress rather than the pleasure of happiness. If you look at the world from this perspective, it makes so much sense.”

Both are disturbing, but so true of the human condition.
I have found that the easiest way to quickly wind down stress is to use diaphragmatic breathing rhythms that emphasis the relaxing ‘parasympathetic’ aspect of the breathing cycle. These rhythms create the exact opposite response in the body to the stress response.
So, perhaps practicing your breathing with a dedicated session each day, and then every other chance you become aware, will improve your health in 10 years from now. There’s enough research evidence to support this notion.

http://www.theartofhealing.com.au/news_research_how_you_respond.html