Relaxation is good for health. Whenever we take any effective relaxation method, such as reading, walking, running, or meditation, it will produce health effects beyond our imagination. Huffington Post published an article on August 14, taking stock of the ten health effects of relaxation.
1. Protect the heart. Stress can lead to increased blood pressure, a greatly increased risk of heart attack and other heart problems. Studies have shown that the harm of stress to the heart is similar to the traditional risk factors of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, poor diet and lack of exercise. Therefore, by relaxing the body and mind and reducing the pressure, it is helpful to protect the heart.
2. Reduce the risk of catching cold. Sheldon Cohen, Professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, found that long-term stress for more than one month but less than six months doubled the risk of catching a cold. Research shows that stress reduces the body’s ability to fight inflammation. Therefore, relaxing and reducing stress will also reduce the risk of catching a cold.
3. Improve memory. Through mouse experiments, it was found that long-term stress can damage the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which involves abstract thinking and cognitive analysis. Another previous study on mice found that a sudden increase in pressure would damage the central part of the brain involved in memory and learning. Other studies have found that stress increases the amount of specific proteins in the brain, which is likely to aggravate the symptoms of cognitive impairment.
4. Reduce the risk of stroke. A study by Cambridge University in 2007 found that people who can handle stress events well reduce the risk of stroke by 24%. A study in 2011 analyzed work-related stress and found that among middle – and high-class men, psychological stress led to a 10% increase in stroke risk.
5. Avoid depression. According to time, research shows that long-term stress will kill brain cells in the hippocampus, which is considered to be the part of the brain that is the emotional and memory center, and even prevent the generation of new brain cells. If a person’s stress hormone cortisol exists for a long time, it will reduce the content of serum amine and dopamine, which will lead to depression.
6. It helps me make better decisions. When people are under pressure, it is not conducive to thinking clearly. A 2012 study found that stress can indeed change people’s balance of risk, making people unable to make the right decision when facing major decisions.
7. Keep slim. Pressure makes it hard to resist the temptation of delicious food. The stress hormone cortisol can make people have a good appetite. Therefore, relaxing and reducing pressure will also make people easily resist the temptation of high-fat and high sugar food, thus helping to keep fit.
8. Reduce the appearance of acne. Pressure will increase the oil secretion of the skin, block pores, and then lead to acne. Psoriasis is also related to stress. Previous studies have found that psoriasis disappears faster if patients meditate regularly.
9. Keep your sex mood. Researchers at the Kinsey Institute of sexuality found that stress can kill 30% of men’s sexual desire.
10. It helps fight breast cancer. Relaxation will not only delay the development of breast cancer, but also accelerate the recovery of breast cancer. A study in2003 found that stress can double a woman’s risk of breast cancer in the future.
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