Shingles Stress Management

We all have had to deal with stressful situations at one time or another in our lives. Particularly in these trying times of economic upheaval, it is a constant moment by moment unwanted companion to everyone. Prolonged stress can have an effect on our health and well being, and if you already have a compromised immune system, you must find a way to effectively manage your stress to prevent...wait for it...shingles!

Shingles (zoster) is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, that is dormant in the nervous system for years after having chickenpox. A major cause of the reactivation of the shingles virus is due to excessive emotional stress endured, that left unmanaged can result in an active case of zoster.

Methods Of Stress Management:

It is very important to realize that stress causes a release of adrenaline in the system. While this is necessary when suddenly faced with emergency situations, a constant bombardment of this chemical is not good for the body. It can result in a weakened immune system causing minor illnesses such as cold, as well as catastrophic diseases such as cancer. Below are some techniques to help you manage your stress.

Imagery in Relaxation: Imagining a peaceful scene of a place or event that invokes feelings of peace and tranquility. Get off somewhere to a quiet place alone and let your mind be free to roam.

Meditation: Relax your body and center your thoughts on one thing for a while, clearing your mind of the difficulties that are making you stressed. Allow your body to relax to remove the hormones of stress that have accumulated in the body.

Self Hypnosis: Self-hypnosis enables you to relax the mind and the body, and removes unhappy thoughts from your mind. You can attain an intense level of relaxation using self hypnosis.

Music or Relaxation Tapes: An excellent way to relax yourself is the sound of music that is calm and tranquil. You only need to sit and listen to feel it effects.

Physical Ways to Relax: Deep breathing is an easy technique to calm ruffled nerves. Yoga and meditation are popular methods of relaxation that can be done in quiet solitude.

Yoga: Yoga breathing is slow, deep, and rhythmic. It lowers the blood pressure and brings about intense relaxation.

There are so many ways and methods you can use to bring about a relaxed mind and body, as well as reduce the stress and tension that can exist in everyday life. If you have a religious or spiritual affiliation that believes in a higher being or creator, communing daily in quiet prayer is the best way I have found to manage my own stress to keep from going absolutely nuts in these stressful times we are living in today. Enjoy the video below. Turn down the lights and close your eyes, sit back, and relax. I can't express how relaxed I am feeling after listening to this.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT