Beyond the Relaxation Response

Book excerpt: A practical stress-reduction program that uses meditation and spirituality to help you relieve headaches, lower blood pressure, fight insomnia, and decrease anxiety. "Workable and tested solutions for liberating the mind and body from tension, despair, and panic that predispose the human organism to disease." —Norman Cousins, author of Anatomy of an Illness In just minutes a day, you can easily master the techniques that have helped millions conquer or alleviate stress. Employing neither drugs nor doctors, Dr. Herbert Benson’s program is considered by many to be the most beneficial step forward in personal health and well-being in our time. Using what Dr. Benson calls the Faith Factor—a combination of meditation and religious or philosophical convictions—you can: • Reduce overall stress • Relieve headaches, backaches, and chest pains • Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels • Fight insomnia • Decrease anxiety • Achieve greater inner peace and emotional balance