The following presentation is part of a series sponsored by UCSF’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine called Life in Balance: Strategies for Optimal Health from the Science of Integrative Medicine. In this talk, Elissa Epel, PhD discusses some of the latest research regarding the ways that stress and stress resilience can affect health. A few of the take-home messages:
• Stress is a serious risk factor for health that’s rooted not only in our minds, but also in our bodies, brains and cells.
• Stress is unavoidable, but we can improve stress resilience through exercise, social connection, cultivating mindfulness and positive psychological states, and developing awareness of arousal and learning to control it through relaxed breathing.
• A situation that stresses me out might not bother you at all, but perceived stress is all that is needed for us to produce a kind of “stress soup” in our cells that can negatively impact both our physical and psychological well-being.
• Mindful awareness and relaxed breathing can change the “stress soup” inside of us in healthful ways.
Wonderful lecture by Dr Epel on Stress! Was particularly interested in managing stress a mother experiences with a special needs child,now 19 yrs old (my granddaughter). Although it was touched upon by Dr Epel, can you recommend any books by Dr Eppel or others regarding this topic? Even though my daughter is a very loving mother, I notice it in health problems! Thank you kindly
Anita: I’m not aware of any books on this topic, but I will send you an email if I come across anything that might be of interest to you. My younger brother was a special needs child (he died a few years ago, at the age of 25), and my parents made many sacrifices, including their own health at times. It is indeed a very difficult situation. My best to you and your family.