ABSTRACT
Over the years, studies in many peer-reviewed journals document how the relaxation response not only alleviates symptoms of psychological disorders such as anxiety but also affects physiological factors such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption and brain activity. Stress simply means pressure, something that we notice, that is brought to our attention. Chronic stress at work or at home can then become strain and may cause degeneration in physical health and/or emotional stability, as well as a decline in mental well-being. Understanding the physiology of emotions is crucial to managing stress and controlling the underlying chemistry which is usually beyond the reach of the conscious mind. Learning to relax is very important as relaxation allows the body to rest and heal itself both physically and psychologically. There are many ways to manage stress. It is important to understand the physiology of stress and to find an approach that suits the individual.
