How to Relieve Stress in Your Life

Updated 11/02/2021

Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD says... The information in the article below regarding stress and ways to relieve stress is correct.

It is important to relieve stress if you suffer from it regularly because of the many problems it can create in context to your health. Too much stress will alter your hormone levels, reduce immune function, cause weight gain, and lead to heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke. It can also contribute to diabetes, asthma, lack of sleep, low energy levels, depression, and many digestive problems.

All of us are affected by stress differently. While some of us can take more than others without having it affect us mentally or physically, but getting stress under control is important to each one of us dealing with stress.

Below are ways you can relieve stress so you can improve immune function to help fight your yeast infection, correct hormone imbalances and generally have a much happier outlook on life.

Breathing: Many times as your mind runs away from you and you are starting to get upset and stressed, all you have to do is shift your focus to your breathing. Just concentrate on breathing in and out in slow deep breaths for 10 or 15 minutes.

Exercise: Exercise not only takes your mind off of what's bothering you but it also helps relieve stress because it releases endorphins. Endorphins are often called the feel good hormones. Find an exercise routine you like and do it for a half-hour.

Massage: Have a friend or your significant other give you a massage after a stressful day. While you are getting the massage let your mind concentrate on the massage instead of all those stressful problems you may have had during the day.

Meditation: Meditation is not for everyone but for those that do enjoy it, it is definitely a great way to relieve stress.

Spend time alone: This one is pretty self-explanatory. Everyone needs an area for some quiet time to himself or herself. Try setting up a room in the house where you can go and be by yourself, do hobbies, or other things you enjoy.

Supplements: There are supplements that you can take that may help you deal with stress. I have included your best options farther down this webpage.

Self-Hypnosis: One of the best ways that I know of to relieve stress and strengthen the immune system at the same time is through hypnosis. I have included the studies below if you would like to further research the effectiveness of self-hypnosis.

A study done in 2001 by Ohio State University and published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that students who used a limited version of a complete hypnosis program had immune systems that became stronger and more active the longer they used hypnosis, as proven by blood samples.

In 1999 a study done by Ginandes and Rosenthal found that patients recovering from bone fractures healed faster when participating in self-hypnosis programs. The study was published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 5(2): 67-75.

Another study in 2002 by Ginandes et al found that women who had gone through breast surgery healed faster when undergoing hypnosis post operation than those that didn't. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. 45(4):333-51

Hypnosis to relieve stress has been endorsed by many medical doctors including:

Elvira V. Lang, MD, FSIR, FSCEH, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Joseph Mercola, Founder, Optimal Wellness Center

Mark B. Weisberg, Ph.D., ABPP, Co-owner, Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic.

Dr. Al Sears M.D., Palm Beach Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine

Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Michael Reding, M.D., Child Psychiatrist

Claire Frederick, M. D., Tufts University School of Medicine

There is no question that hypnosis can relieve stress and can reverse the effects of stress on the body and strengthen your immune system.

Independent testing has revealed a 92% success rate when it comes to self-hypnosis programs of all types.

In 1985, 1986, and 1996 studies were done and published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology about hypnosis and weight loss. Each study found that weight loss was increased by 17 pounds, (97%) and lasted for up to 2 years later for those that continued the self-hypnosis program.

Hypnosis has also been shown to work for weight loss because it enabled the participants to stay on their respective diet.

As Susannah points out below, it also works to change your core beliefs concerning food, nutrition, and exercise.

Hi Dan,

I want to thank you for this hypnosis series. It was supportive and helpful. I ordered and am using the hypnosis cd set. I like it a lot. I haven’t really lost weight but that is not my main goal, a balanced healthy approach and relationship with my body is. I have been joking that I think I may have been taken over by the pod people or something as I cannot believe that I went to a local gym, started swimming twice a week and then began working out with a coach twice a week. I do believe this is a result of the support of the cd set. I also have noticed small and subtle changes in other areas in relationship to food and nutrition. I am a psychotherapist and have long known that you have to get deep into the unconscious to change core beliefs. The hypnosis cds are something I am enjoying and look forward to seeding and nurturing the seeds of the positive attitudes and beliefs that are presented. Thank you so much for recommending them. And thanks for the supportive information about candida...an ongoing learning curve.

Susannah

The hypnosis programs Susannah is talking about were produced by the Hypnosis Network co-founded by Michael Lovitch. I like his programs because each hypnosis program was put together by medically licensed therapists from the respective medical field. They're all trained professionals with graduate degrees in their area of expertise.

I found that he had a Relieve Stress Series & Anxiety Series that also comes with a free ebook, "Concrete Strategies to Manage Stress".

There is also the Diet Series that Susannah is using, which will also work for anyone that is having a hard time staying on the Candida diet. I also found out that the programs are both guaranteed for 1 year. You can't beat that kind of guarantee for something that is definitely proven to work.

Supplements to Help Relieve Stress

Passion Flower helps calm the body and mind without the sedative effects of prescription drugs. I would not take this if you are taking anti-depressants or if you are pregnant.

Valerian Root has been shown to help some people deal with stress.

St John's Wort can help improve your mood and emotional outlook.

B-vitamins, calcium and magnesium all help calm the nervous system and promote muscle relaxation and sleep. A quality multivitamin can full fill these needs along with helping to counteract the effects of stress on the body.

A deficiency of Omega 3 fatty acids also contributes to increased anxiety and depression. This is easy to correct by taking a quality Omega 3 supplement everyday.

Medical Review by Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD

While we are approaching a higher standard of living, working towards a better and secure future, it is sad that we are constantly being embraced by stress and depression. Stress comes in various shapes and forms and is the leading mental challenge faced by millions of people all over the world. The stress tolerance is different for each individual. While some may easily lead a stress-free optimistic life, some find it quite hard to manage stress arising from even small day to day setbacks of life. CDC states that stress is mostly related to some traumatic episode, family loss, witness of violence, etc. (1)

A study by Rizzolo et al of Seton Hall University, conducted in 2009, discusses the efficient management of stress by strategies such as 30 minutes of yoga, meditation, humor, and inculcating reading habits. This study was conducted for physiotherapy and occupational therapy students, who faced a lot of stress in their curriculum. (2)

Another set of surveys conducted in Taiwan concluded that there ought to be regular workshops on stress management within each organization, be it educational or corporate. This would help the employees to relate better to their organization and identify a better job responsibility. (3)

In March 2019, Gravitz and Page note in their book that even though the initial theory of animal magnetism, known as hypnosis (that was introduced by Mesmer in the 18th century), was not widely appreciated, the significant role of hypnotism in managing various disorders, including stress, cannot be ignored. (4)

Lastly, the American Psychological Association states that the somatic effects of mind-body intervention of self hypnosis have been reportedly associated with treatment of headaches, GI diseases, and of course, stress. (5)

Effects of Stress Webpage

Cause of Yeast Infection Webpage

Estrogen Dominance Webpage

Any questions about how to relieve stress please feel free to contact me from the contact page of this website or see your doctor.

Dr. Rana's References

1. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. CDC.gov September 3, 2019
2. Rizzolo, D., Zipp, G. P., Stiskal, D., & Simpkins, S. (2009). Stress Management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 6(8). https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v6i8.1117.
3. Yu, M.-C. (2009). Employees’ Perception of Organizational Change: The Mediating Effects of Stress Management Strategies. Public Personnel Management, 38(1), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/009102600903800102.
4. Gravitz M.A., Page R.A. (2019) Hypnosis in the Management of Stress Reactions. In: A Clinical Guide to the Treatment of the Human Stress Response. Springer, New York, NY.
5. Perfect, M. M., & Champagne, C. (2020). Hypnosis and the potential application in the school setting. In C. Maykel & M. A. Bray (Eds.), Applying psychology in the schools. Promoting mind–body health in schools: Interventions for mental health professionals (p. 267–282). American Psychological Association