A recent study performed at Massachusetts General Hospital has found that the inducement of the relaxation response may cut down on an individual’s need for certain medical services later in life. Researchers found that participants who regularly engaged in activities that induce the body’s relaxation response, such as meditation, yoga and massage, used health care services 43% less than those that did not. First documented little over 40 years ago, the relaxation response is the sympathetic nervous system calming reaction your body has when you feel safe and relaxed. As such, anxiety and depression sufferers have been prescribed treatments like massage because the relaxation response has been found to greatly reduce a person’s overall stress level.
As the number one use of health care services in America is connected to the treatment of anxiety disorders like depression, the researchers noted that people who regularly engage in relaxation response exercises could greatly cut down on their annual medical expenses. Also, the scientists who conducted the study indicated since illnesses such as heart disease and cancer are exacerbated by stress, regularly attending yoga meetings or massage therapy sessions could serve as effective preventative care. Click on the link below to find out more about the positive health effects of the relaxation response.
Read the full article here: Relaxation response-based program may reduce participants’ future use of health services