Research Question of the Week: What is Stress?

[Venom]

When you hear the term “stress” what is the first thing that pops into your mind?

http://www.doctissimo.fr/html/dossiers/acne/images/acne_stress.jpg

The picture of this man is what typifies the term stress, for most of us. When we think of stress, words such as worry, fear, doubts, and apprehension always seem to pop up.

However, evidence suggests that stress is an absolutely intricate part of our everyday lives, and is in fact the basic principle behind resistance training.

Nonetheless, millions around the world do suffer from the adverse effects of “stress”.

Thus, the questions I propose to you are:

• What is stress?
• Are there such a thing as good and bad stress?
• How can/do we use stress to improve ourselves
• How can we relieve “bad” stress?

I plan on giving inputs on this topic throughout the next several weeks. I would really like to hear your guys incites. All comments, questions, theories, or suggestions are welcome.

[TheMac]

ohhh i can't wait to get at this question once i get back from the gym. But keep in mind i only know the basics, maybe i'll get my psychology major friend to give some input /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[TheMac]

ok i don't have much time so i will post the basics:

• What is stress?

Dr. Hans Selye (a pioneer in studying physiological responses) would define stress as "The nonspecific reponse of the body to any demand made upon it".

Stressors would be the things that upset or excite us in the same way whether they are positive or negative.

Stress can be acute, episodic, or chronic, depending on the nature of the stressor. Acute stressors trigger a breif but intense response to a specific incident. Episodic stress cause regular but intermittent elevations in stress levels. Chronic stressors are any long term stressors in one's life.


• Are there such a thing as good and bad stress?

Absolutely! Some of life's happiest moments are enormously stressful.

Selye describes eustress as the positive stress in our lives. Eustress challenges us to grow, adapt, and find creative solutions in our lives.

Distress refers to the negative effects of stress that can deplete or even destroy "life energy".


• How can/do we use stress to improve ourselves

Ideally, the level of stress in our lives should be just high enough to motivate us to satisfy our needs and not so high that it interferes with our ability to reach our fullest potentail.


• How can we relieve “bad” stress?

A few methods include:
-Breathing: deep breaths relax the body
-Refocusing: thining about a situation you can't control only increases the sress you feel. Focus on other subjects instead.
-Serenity breaks
-Stress signals: learn to recognize them and act early
-Reality checks: put things into proper perspective
-Laughter
-Spiritual coping
-Sublimation or redirection of engergy (aka. going for a run when you are upset)
-Exercise: regular physical activity can not only relieve stress but it also boosts energy, and lifts your mood and most importantly[b] controls stress[b]

Some more relaxation tips:

Relaxation is the physical and mental state opposite to stress. There are a few that i will go over once i get the time later today so stay tuned /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Also want to go over the General Adaptation Syndrome if nobody beats me to it /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Venom]

Wow! Excellent response, bro! I could not have hoped for better feedback than that. I really look forward to more posts from you.

I'll add my comments sometime soon.

[TheMac]

Alright i have some time to post about relaxtion methods /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As mentioned before Relaxation is the physical and mental opposite of stress. Rather than gearing for fight for flight (i'll go over this later), our bodies and minds can grow calmer and smother. We are less likely to become frazzled and more capable of staying in control. This most effective Relaxation methods include:

Progress Relaxation:
-Increasing and then decreasing the tension upon our muscles. While sitting long periods of time in one position certain muscles are always tensed, rather than having this have a "tensing and relaxation period every once in a while. This would include sitting or lying down in a quiet, comfortable setting and tensing and releasing certain muscles of the body. An example of this would be to begin with those of the hand, and then proceeding to the arms, shoulders, neck, face, scalp, chest, stomach, buttocks, ect..Relaxing those muscles can quiet the mind and restore internal balance.

Visualization:
-Creating mental pictures that calm you down and focus your mind.

Meditation:
-Meditation helps a person to reach a state of relaxation, but with with the goal of achieving inner peace and harmony. There is no one right way to meditate, many people have meditated before without even knowing they were doing it. The goal of meditation is free yourself and concentrate on turning the attention within.

Mindfulness:
-A modern form of an acient Asian technique that invloves maintaining awareness in the present moment. You tune in to each part of your body, scaning from head to toe, noting the slightest sensation. You allow whatever you experience, an itch, an ache, warmth to enter your awareness. Then you open yourself to focus on all the thoughts, sensations, sounds, and feelings that enter your awareness. This will keep you in the here and now, thinking about what is rather than about what if or if only.

[Venom]

You are on fire, bro! I am glad I started this thread. We can continue this conversation for a while. /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ QUOTE ]

Mindfulness:
-A modern form of an acient Asian technique that invloves maintaining awareness in the present moment. You tune in to each part of your body, scaning from head to toe, noting the slightest sensation. You allow whatever you experience, an itch, an ache, warmth to enter your awareness. Then you open yourself to focus on all the thoughts, sensations, sounds, and feelings that enter your awareness. This will keep you in the here and now, thinking about what is rather than about what if or if only.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was familar with the other techniques, but this was new to me. Its interesting how it is almost opposite to the other methods.

[ryancostill]

[ QUOTE ]


Progress Relaxation:
-Increasing and then decreasing the tension upon our muscles. While sitting long periods of time in one position certain muscles are always tensed, rather than having this have a "tensing and relaxation period every once in a while. This would include sitting or lying down in a quiet, comfortable setting and tensing and releasing certain muscles of the body. An example of this would be to begin with those of the hand, and then proceeding to the arms, shoulders, neck, face, scalp, chest, stomach, buttocks, ect..Relaxing those muscles can quiet the mind and restore internal balance.


[/ QUOTE ]

Here is some additional information on progressive muscle relaxation:

According to Cox, 2002, research has clearly shown progressive relaxation to be effective in invoking a relaxation response. Carlson and Hoyle, 1993, as cited in Cox 2002, report that abbreviated progressive relaxation training also is effective in reducing anxiety tension and stress.

Evidence suggests that PMR can be effective in improving athletic performance when utilised in conjunction with other cognitive techniques such as imagery (according to a review by Greenspan and Feltz, 1989, cited in Cox, 2002). Wrisberg and Anshel, 1989, demonstrated that PMR coupled with imagery work was effective in improving basketball shooting performance. In the study, neither PMR nor imagery alone elicited an enhanced performance. It has also been suggested that muscle relaxation can be effective in increasing an athletes pain tolerance. In pugilistic sports such as boxing, kick-boxing and wrestling this could be to the athlete’s advantage. An increased pain threshold could increase the amount of punishment an athlete could withstand and increase their capacity to “go the distance”. This could, therefore, indirectly improve sporting performance.

Ost (1988) gives outlines on the attainment of the ability to relax in a matter of seconds. The PMR process begins by introducing the individual to the ability to recognise the feeling of tension in comparison to relaxation. A script reader can be used this initial process and it is recommended the individual uses 15min PMR sessions twice daily. As described earlier, the second stage PMR programme is less dependent on a script reader or on the contraction/relaxation technique. The individual can begin to only utilise a “release” feeling in the muscles rather than the pre-contraction experienced in the first phase. This stage of PMR development can be practiced until it takes only 5-7 minutes to complete. The individual then progresses to a third stage of PMR development. This involves the use of controlled relaxation where breathing plays an important role. The time period of relaxation sessions in this stage is further shortened to two to three minutes. The fourth stage of the process is more applied. It involves the individual beginning to apply their relaxation techniques in normal environments and situations such as prior to the execution of sports skill. Here the relaxation process should be condensed to approximately 60 second time periods. The fifth stage sees the relaxation process condensed further to 20-30sec. The relaxation process here is combined with imagery. The individual simultaneously images stressful situations or situations in which relaxation will be essential. The final stage of the process involves the individual utilising the relaxation skills learned during or prior to performance.
Ost recommends individuals keep a diary monitoring their relaxation training. This will allow for individuals to chart their progress and may increase the likelihood of adherence.

Cox, R.,(2002). Sport Psychology, Concepts and applications. (5th ed). McGraw-Hill; London

Ost (1988) Applied Relaxation: Description of an Effective Coping Technique, Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour Therapy 17, p83-90

[Venom]

That was off the hook! Thanks for the great information.

[Venom]

Ok, here are my thoughts on what stress is.

My bottom definition is rough, and I still need to make modifactions to it. But I am trying to tie all these concepts together in one definition. That may not be possible, though... It may be a good idea to break the elements down more.

Anyway, here it is. I hope it is Insightful, and I look forward to any feedback!

When you hear the term “stress” what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For many of us, words such as disease, worry, and apprehension always seem to pop up.

While stress can have deleterious effects, evidence suggests that stress plays an essential role in developing a healthy body, that is able to cope with the various demands thrown our way on a daily bases.

The topic of stress has been studied for almost a century now. Yet, there is no general consensus on the definition of stress. Therefore, the purpose of this post was to define stress, and explain the bodily response(s) to this phenomenon.

Simmons (2006) suggests that definitions of stress typically contain one or more of the following four elements: stressors, adaptations (responses), perceptions (cognitive/emotional), and effects (acute and chronic).

Selye (1930) suggested that a stressor was anything that causes the stress response. Stressors may consist of various stimuli in the environment, such as the climate, environment, or social conditions. The organism then responds, or adapts to the stressor. Wilson (2006) suggests than an adaptation can be defined as an acute or chronic modification of an organism or parts of an organism that make it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment.

Perceptions can be defined as stimuli that an organism decides to take into its mind, based on importance (Simmons, 2006). Perceptions can determine what stimuli in the environment act as stressors, based on the organism’s appraisal of the stimuli. And finally, the results of the stress response can manifest themselves acutely or chronically, and be beneficial or deleterious

To tie these altogether with an example, suppose a male athlete is squatting 400 pounds (the stressor), the heaviest he has ever lifted. As the athlete prepares to perform the lift, he begins to feel apprehension, because he has never lifted this much before, and as an athlete, improving his lifts are clearly important to him (this would be the perception; notice how it is based on task importance). In response to his apprehension, his heart rate and respiration begins to rise (acute adaptations, in response to a perceived threat). The athlete then performs the lift successfully, for 4 reps. During the subsequent training session, he finds that he can perform 8 reps with the same weight (a chronic beneficial adaptation). This example typifies the stress response.

Keeping these 4 elements of stress in mind, this paper will begin its discussion on the definitions of stress with the father of stress, Hans Selye.

During his days as a Hungarian scientist, Selye observed that his patients with diseases had many similar symptoms, regardless of the infection. These include a loss of appetite, inflamed tonsils, and pain. In this context, Selye suggested that sickness could be studied in general, rather than specific to the disease itself (McEwen, 2002).

To test his hypothesis, he examined the effects of various stressors such as toxins and sudden changes in temperature on rats. He observed that every stressor caused a similar response, suggesting that the body had a general mechanism to cope with stressors. This lead him to define stress as the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it to adapt, whether that demand produces pleasure or pain. Based on the general nature of stress, he developed the infamous General Adaptation Theory. This theory suggests that stress is composed of three phases: alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion. During alarm reaction, the introduction of a stressor leads to a decrease in performance. Following this is the stage of resistance, in which the organism’s defense mechanisms fight to gain resistance. This is known as adaptation and is characterized by elevated levels of homeostasis. Lastly, if the stimulus is continuous then the individual would plateau or experience maladaptation. The maladaptation according to Seyle reflected similar symptoms to the Alarm reaction stage, and was the result of a depletion of the organisms defense mechanisms caused by chronic stress (Wilson, 2006).

Seyle suggested that stress could be further broken down into two elements—distress and eustress. Distress was the damaging effects caused by stress, and could result in a decline in performance for athletes, or promote pathogenesis (diseases). Eustress was the advantageous effects of stress, and promoted growth and development.

Another pioneer in the study of stress was Walter Cannon (1930’s). Cannon discussed the body’s tendency to keep itself within narrow tolerance limits necessary to sustain life (homeostasis). In the presence of a stressor that would cause an imbalance in homeostasis, Cannon suggested that the body responds in a stereotypical pattern of psycho physiological reactions to prepare to meet a survival threat (the stress response). He further posited that this response involved the famous fight or flight response, which initiated various adaptations such as shutting down digestion, tensing muscles, and piloerrection (hair stands up), all of which would activate the system so that it could handle the perceived or experienced stressor.

McGrath (1970) suggested that stress is the perceived imbalance between demands and response capabilities when failure to meet the demands is deemed important. This definition focused on the psychological state which triggered the stress response.

Building on the work of McGrath, Martin (as reported by Simmons, 2006) suggested that stress could be defined as uncertainty * importance.

More recently, Inouye (2005) suggested that stress is anything that causes the body to adapt.

All of these definitions of stress are helpful in understanding the stress response; yet, the current author does not believe any of them by themselves adequately defines stress. Therefore, the current author suggests that an integration of these definitions is needed to properly define stress.

In this context, Gabriel Wilson (2006) suggests that stress can be defined as the perceived or experienced imbalance between demands and response capabilities when failure to meet the demands is deemed important, or results in a disturbance in homeostasis. Typically, it must be inferred from acute or chronic adaptations or maladaptations.

This definition clarifies on several points. It discusses the impact of a stressor (or demand); both physiological (homeostasis and experience) and psychological (perception) responses to stress; acute and chronic adaptations of the stress response; and the positive or negative effects of stress. It also suggests that stress is a hypothetical construct that cannot be directly observed, but rather must be inferred based on acute or chronic adaptations or maladaptations.

[l0stsheep]

This is a very insightful thread!

Great thread! So it sounds like stress is difficult to define, and can vary tremendously individual to individual. The techniques that Mac shared all are great - I have found mindfulness to be particularly helpful to focus when I am experiencing apprehension. It might even help improve mind-muscle connection!

I got to thinking about laughter, and exactly HOW it relieves stress... What exactly is it that makes laughing a stress reliever?

[Venom]

Hey, Trillian

Good question!

I have not studied laughter to much, but from what I have heard, it may actually initiate the release of chemicals which increase joy. Also, being happy decreases mental stress, and stress can cause serious body damage. This is known as the Psychosomatic model.

Speaking of this model...here is a little something I wrote up on it. /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

“Oh, stop worrying about his leg, he’s fine. It’s just psychosomatic.” Many times, people explain decrements in performance or health to the psychosomatic model. Yet, this quote shows a complete lack of understanding of the model. First, it suggests that the decrement is all in the mind; however, it may not just be mental. Second, it is very dismissive, suggesting that mental disorders are easy to fix. Indeed, hundreds of studies are showing again and again that decrements to health due to the mind body connection are real problems (Simmons, 2006). In this context, the purpose of this post was to define the psychosomatic model, and ways to deal with stress using this model.

Many confuse the psychosomatic model with the disease hypochondria. Hypochondria is the unreasonable fear about ones health, accompanied by delusions of disease. For instance, people with hypochondria may turn frantic over the slightest pain, thinking it may be an indication of some horrible disease such as cancer, when it is nothing more than a bruise. However, the psychosomatic model is a real problem, and not just a delusion.

The psychosomatic model describes the connection between the mind and the body, and the resultant effects on health and disease generated from this connection. Results indicate that mental stress is a contributor to ailments such as paralysis, certain cancers, ulcers, and hypertension (Simmons, 2006). In a review article on the biological processes in psychological stress, Haddy and Clover (2001) found that mental stress was related to an increase in various potentially harmful chemical substances, such as cortisol which degrades proteins, including white blood cells and antibodies, resulting in a decrease in immune function, and consequently, elevated rates of sickness; and thyroxin, which causes an increase in cerebration (thoughts), which is why people that are stressed often have sleeping disorders—because they are up worrying all night (Inouye, 2006).

A model often not considered, but equally valid, is the Somatopsychic model, which discusses the effects caused on the mind by the body. For instance, in a recent Meta-Analysis, Landers (2006) found evidence that exercise can significantly reduce mental stress, depression, anxiety, and enhance cognitive function, among other benefits.

This model suggests that the mind body connection occurs through several steps; these steps will be discussed subsequently.

http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/psycho_files/4.jpg

Figure 1

The Psychosomatic Model (Wilson, 2004)

Figure 1 describes the Psychosomatic Model. First, a stimulus (such as food, cold, etc.) is introduced into the environment. Secondly, the individual brings the stimulus into the body (has perception of it). Cognitive Appraisal is a stepwise process. After perception of the stimulus, you compare the stimulus to past experiences and then select out a response, and benefit from the experience (Sawyer, 2005). If you appraise the situation as being negative, then your emotional response will most likely be high cognitive anxiety, which is a negative emotional state. This emotional state would then drive the body (the supposed “link” between the mind and body; I say supposed, because evidence suggests all these stages are intimately linked between the mind and the body) to initiate physiological arousal, and a response, with the resultant effects promoting health or disease. It is important to understand that this model is not always linear. For instance, increased physiological arousal can directly effect perceptions or emotions, and perception can effect arousal.

The implications of this model are tremendous. By understanding these stages, we can intervene at certain steps, to influence the stress response. For instance, during a speech in front of hundreds of people (the stimuli, and perception), one may feel threatened, as they are being evaluated (cognitive appraisal). One may respond with negative emotions, which leads to increased arousal and stiffness during the speech, impairing performance. However, the individual could intervene here at the appraisal stages, with positive self talk, which involves self persuasion (i.e. telling yourself you can do it).

Many instead use pessimism here, which has been demonstrated to decrease performance, and increase stress (Simmons, 2006). Pessimism can lead to Learned Helplessness. Ziligmond reported that shocking animals no matter what they do, eventually resulted in them sitting down and taking the shock (learned helplessness). They later could not heal their mental sickness. Following this, the authors wrote many dissertations on the topic, and strongly urged scientists to never replicate an experiment which could cause such damage to animals. Yet, it appears many today are either unaware or did not take head to this suggestion, because we replicate this same experiment in the work place on a daily bases! When we provide environments at work, where people get no reinforcement for their actions, and people themselves turn into pessimists, this can result in learned helplessness, where we simply give up, because it seems there is no way to solve our problems.

Contrary to this ailment, is the concept of learned optimism. As the book of proverbs says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.” This concept keeps a person pushing on, and focusing on positive things, no matter the set of circumstances. For instance, if it took you ten times to pass your drivers test, so what, you got it still, right? Interestingly enough, too much optimism will never make you sick—there is no such thing as being too happy (Simmons, 2006).

[Adam Knowlden]

This thread is great!

[Coz]

[ QUOTE ]
This thread is great!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yah really great stuff guys!

Thanks Venom! That was awesome! /forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[CraZy-T!]

On a related topic:

I'm in theatre school, and we've just gotten a new acting teacher that advises against lifting weights because they cause too much stress in the body, and will limit our ability to express ourselves.

So my question is: Does weight training result in an accumulation of physiological stress in the body?

I've done a lot of work with the Alexander Technique which is focused on releasing habitual stress-related holding patterns. It can be really interesting! Sometimes, simple actions such as dropping the head to the chest shows tension being held in the body, as there are small "jerks" on the way down, that eventually iron themselves out. I feel more stress-free after weight lifting, how about you guys? Any physiological term for accumulated stress?

The most relaxed I ever feel is after a hardcore workout! And how would stress from lifting weights hinder my ability to express myself? It seems like that would only happen in totally extreme cases.

[stillflabby]

[ QUOTE ]
You are on fire, bro! I am glad I started this thread. We can continue this conversation for a while. /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ QUOTE ]

Mindfulness:
-A modern form of an acient Asian technique that invloves maintaining awareness in the present moment. You tune in to each part of your body, scaning from head to toe, noting the slightest sensation. You allow whatever you experience, an itch, an ache, warmth to enter your awareness. Then you open yourself to focus on all the thoughts, sensations, sounds, and feelings that enter your awareness. This will keep you in the here and now, thinking about what is rather than about what if or if only.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was familar with the other techniques, but this was new to me. Its interesting how it is almost opposite to the other methods.

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually would call this Progressive Relaxation for the mind. You focus on everything that is within your sensory perception NOW. You become acutely focused...then you relax. I've used this many times in the past. Focus on everything I can. After a while of doing this, (like an hour or more) you greatly alter your state of awareness. You are extremely calm, you have sharp mental focus, and things start to happen with regularity you might pass off as "coincidence" at other times. I personally feel at this time you are uniquely intuned to what I can only call "God's voice". It's an amazing experience. You sense and feel things that usually pass you by. You understand concepts that have alluded you in the past.

I really don't know how to properly explain it, but it's an amazing sense of spirituality.

[Venom]

Really cool comment, SF. I like that term—progressive relaxation of the mind.

[ QUOTE ]

I'm in theatre school, and we've just gotten a new acting teacher that advises against lifting weights because they cause too much stress in the body, and will limit our ability to express ourselves.


[/ QUOTE ]

“Stress” would be a bit to ambiguous. Like I discussed before, it is a really complex term.

I think the general question would be—does weight lifting chronically effect muscle tension?

From my research, moderate intensity exercise would be optimal for this goal. So for weights, I would do 12-15 reps for instance, if that was your goal. It should actually help relieve tension.

[stillflabby]

[ QUOTE ]
From my research, moderate intensity exercise would be optimal for this goal. So for weights, I would do 12-15 reps for instance, if that was your goal. It should actually help relieve tension.

[/ QUOTE ]

I absolutely agree with this. I always feel very relaxed a couple hours after training.

Something interesting I learned in a class once. If a muscle is overly tight, you can over stretch it very quickly, then relax it. This will trigger the "Golgi Tendon Organ" to cause the muscle to relax even further. The muscle in the example was the levator scapulae.
I'm not sure how this would apply, but I find it interesting.

[Vlad]

I've my "stress" clients do fullbody workouts 2-3 times per week + additional cardiovoscular training (2-3 times per week as well).

Fullbody workouts are not jocky, I really push them to the limit, reasons?

* They focus on the exercise instead of their every day troubles
* A greater amount of endomorfins and other substances is released after the workout, so they feel a lot calmer.
* Stressed people tend to have bad cardiovoscular health, full bodyworkouts usually contribute pretty good to their cadiovoscular status.
* I've them go to to group-training passes where they see other ppl doing their thing without worrying that they gonna be late for work and etc.


Sorry, I don't have time for reading through entire thread, so I'm just gonna post some stuff.

if a person is genetically inclined to a certain desease, let's say fibromyalgi, hormonal changes caused by stress might create a "healtier" enviroment for that desease. ie improve risk for catching it.

[Venom]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
From my research, moderate intensity exercise would be optimal for this goal. So for weights, I would do 12-15 reps for instance, if that was your goal. It should actually help relieve tension.

[/ QUOTE ]

I absolutely agree with this. I always feel very relaxed a couple hours after training.

Something interesting I learned in a class once. If a muscle is overly tight, you can over stretch it very quickly, then relax it. This will trigger the "Golgi Tendon Organ" to cause the muscle to relax even further. The muscle in the example was the levator scapulae.
I'm not sure how this would apply, but I find it interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

Manipulating proprioreceptors is the bases of progressive relaxation (discussed by the Mac). It is really effective.

Thanks for your tips, Vlad.


[ QUOTE ]

if a person is genetically inclined to a certain desease, let's say fibromyalgi, hormonal changes caused by stress might create a "healtier" enviroment for that desease. ie improve risk for catching it.

[/ QUOTE ]

No question.

It appears that fibrinogen content increases with stress, and clots blood, which can then lead to a Thrombus (accumulation of blood cloting that can cause serious damage in arteries impeding blood flow etc.) and embolus (when the thrombus breaks off, and then gets caught somewhere; i.e. an emblus in cerebrum can causes a stroke)

[Venom]

Check this out, guys here (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/exercisestressindex.php) /forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[shlape]

[ QUOTE ]


Thus, the questions I propose to you are:

• What is stress?
• Are there such a thing as good and bad stress?
• How can/do we use stress to improve ourselves
• How can we relieve “bad” stress?



[/ QUOTE ]

What is stress? I can tell you about the bad stress, as I've had plenty of experience with it.
The stress I speak of (I believe) comes from a lack of acceptance of the things you can't control coupled with a distorted world-view or "how things should be".

Good stress: short but brutal gym workout. Short sustainable exposure without wearing yourself out.
Bad stress: see the earlier definition. Prolonged, unrelenting stress without relief.

Personally, stress served as a wake-up call, but not before some serious health issues creeped in; not to mention years of wasted effort trying to bulk up but not dealing with the stress outside the gym. It ultimately becomes a life-changer from your 'old ways'... whether it happens after a nervous breakdown or just before. I think I came close.

How do you clean up weeks / months / years of habitual (bad) stress? In a word, meditation. For me, it's a work-in-progress.