Politicians, stress, heart attack and stroke

Posted November 27, 2009 17:34:00

Rafael Castillo, MD

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Conclusion

FOR politicians on the campaign trial, and for everyone else needing to take a pause from one’s stressful hectic schedule, experts recommend the following simple techniques to relax. This may take around 15 minutes, but it’s time well spent to get one back on the healthy track.

• Relaxing breathing. This can be an instant natural tranquilizer when one is anxious or under severe stress. One should imagine a spot just below one’s navel. He should breathe into that spot quickly through the nose, filling the abdomen with air. The air should fill one’s chest from the abdomen up, then he gradually exhales through pursed lips, like slowly deflating a balloon. We taught this to one politician who used to pop in a tranquilizer before a major speech. With this technique, he never had a need for a tranquilizer pill which can relax him but make him forget some of the things he wants to say in his speech.

• Progressive muscle relaxation. One sits on a quiet corner and focuses on one’s thoughts and breathing. He takes a few relaxing breaths as described above. He then mentally scans his body, noticing areas in his body that feel tense or cramped. He releases the tension in these areas. He rotates his head in a slow, smooth, circular motion once or twice. While doing this, he thinks of a happy occasion, person or any thought that brings him happiness and peace of mind. He takes another relaxing breath.

• Mental imagery relaxation. This provides a “mental escape” away from it all, when the stress becomes overwhelming. As one relaxes in one’s chair, one fills his mind with all pleasant thoughts, visualizing the desired outcome of a stressful event. He visualizes the outcome as if it’s already happening. He does his “self-talk,” with positive affirmations about oneself. This is similar to the internalization being done by artists before a performance.

—Relax to music. A relaxing, soothing music can complement all relaxation techniques. Some use music with coaching instructions telling one what to do and think of while relaxing.

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