What is THE abolute best stress reducer and outlook improver

My field involves immune system health. One aspect of immune health is mental and emotional stress. Long-term stress can knock your immune system out of sync, resulting in greater occurence of cold and flu, joint pain, etc. because immune cells are over-reacting or under-reacting.

So one question is, how to pre-empt prolonged period of stress. What is the best stress reducer you've found? What has worked best for you? Listening to Kenny G.??? Vigorous excercise?? Meditation? Yoga? (can a person learn yoga without going to a yoga class for a year?) Chiropractic
adjustments? Spontaneous fun?? I would be interested in hearing what you think, and posting the most notable on my blog. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Lauren Herzog on November 19, 2008 at 11:45am

Personally, I have found meditation to be one of the most effective ways to manage stress. A therapist taught me a few different techniques, which at first I felt a bit silly doing. After trying them a couple times however I did notice a difference. I felt calmer, more in control, and more positive. Helps improve concentration as well.

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Permalink Reply by Email Support From a Registered Dietitian on November 19, 2008 at 11:58am

Lauren,
I have been practicing transcendental meditation since 1978. It is silly at first but I definitely notice a difference.

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Permalink Reply by Craig Maltby on November 19, 2008 at 12:00pm

Thanks Lauren. Meditation definintely gets a lot of votes. I actually grew up in a town--Fairfield, Iowa--that is the home of Maharishi University, which bases all of its instruction and learning technology on transcendental meditation. It's kind of an amazing development, right here in lil' ol' Iowa. Someday, I need to get myself educated on how it works.

You and I both have the same goal -- be on stage with a band. But I wouldn't sing. Just play bass or keyboard.

Take care.