This article examine what we do to reduce stress and what is actually effective at reducing stress.
Standing in the middle of a swarm of bees might not be your idea of stress relief, but it works for Ray Von Culin. He's a beekeeper in Washington, D.C., and he says caring for bees is one of the most relaxing things in his life.
We ran into Von Culin as we were canvassing the National Mall, microphones in hand, asking people how they deal with stress. The responses ran the gamut: from bubble baths to recreational drug use, from "staring at candles" to "hiking the entire Appalachian Trail."
Everyone had some sort of answer for us. Everyone — regardless of age or origin — had a strategy for getting rid of stress.
Of course, scientists are quick to point out that banishing stress entirely would be a big problem. "Our bodies respond to stress in order to literally keep us alive," says Bruce McEwen, head of the neuroendocrinology laboratory at Rockefeller University.
Stress raises our heart rate and ramps our immune systems to prepare for injury and danger. "The problem is if we don't turn those responses off efficiently when the danger is over ... they can cause damage," McEwen says.
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