The word stress is derived from the Latin "stringere" which means: "to draw tight". The problem in modern society is that stress situations are often continuous. The stress responses of the body are semi-permanently on red-alert, but because physical release is usually unacceptable, this is all suppressed - a situation which cannot be retained for too long. The stress build-up eventually explodes internally, knocks the body systems out of balance and causes extreme physical and mental exhaustion.

 The intensity of the stress experience is determined by how a person feels he/she can cope with an identified threat. The stress response always activates the immune system.  Stress that are suppressed build up eventually – and it explodes internally, knocks the body systems out of balance and causes extreme physical and mental exhaustion.  The role of the parasympathetic nervous system is to relax the body, but with continuous stress this becomes difficult to activate. If stress continues unabated the body becomes weakens and becomes susceptible to a variety of disease and depletion of essential minerals and vitamins from the system. The extent to which events lead to ill health will depend to a large degree on a person’s capacity to cope with stress: about ones perception towards the event. We can alter how we cope.  Naturally healing techniques, relaxation techniques, meditation and exercise/diet can all help control or decrease the stress response.

 It has been scientifically proven that daily meditation has beneficial effects on all aspects of our being, from helping to balance our emotions to assisting in anger management. It affects the physical, the emotional and the spiritual aspects of our being. Scientific research of brainwaves shows that meditation can really improve health and well being of a person. Neuroscientists found that people who meditate can shift the brain activity to different areas of the brain. This kind of shift decreases the effects of stress and anxiety. That’s why these people are happier and calmer than before. Meditation is a wonderful way to manage stress, as well as a great way to improve your overall quality of life. Furthermore, calming your mind is a fast way to eliminate negative emotions and stress you may currently be experiencing. Meditation has assisted countless individuals, from different cultures, ethnic and religious backgrounds, to relax and reduce the accumulation of stress. Many times, people think of meditation as some sort of esoteric art, only for a monk living in a cave. The simple fact is that meditation is one of the more simple things you can do to relax the body and mind. In fact, it is so simple that most people become frustrated about not doing it right. Time and time again, people try to sit still and meditate, only to find that they "just can't keep their minds still."
Meditation provides a private, inner sanctuary where we can learn to go when the chaos of a rushed-lifestyle overwhelms us. Simply put, meditation detoxifies the body and mind of stress.

Relaxation encourages the production of Alpha brain waves.  In a relaxed and receptive state you may access unconscious information, providing solutions to a problem, healing or new direction. Relaxing muscles makes your breathing slow down, your heart beat slower. It also lowers blood pressure. While completely relaxed it is impossible to feel negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, depression or anger. Every meditation to clear stress and trauma therefore starts with a relaxation where you close off the outside world by shutting your eyes and open to the inside world by relaxing your body.