With all the troublesome economic news, one would think the next great depression is right around the corner. I think we all know that is not the case, but news of job losses and foreclosures is enough to make anyone wonder what’s in store for 2009. Life is stressful enough with the demands we all face at our jobs and in our daily lives. It almost feels as though stress is a fundamental condition of the post modern lifestyle. The biggest challenge for all of us is finding ways to reduce stress without causing MORE stress! Time and money are the two most frequent complaints I hear from patients in regards to finding ways to manage stress.

For the 45 minute time commitment and insurance co-pay, I can’t find a better bargain out there than acupuncture. Acupuncture addresses your entire body during a treatment, but a beautiful side effect is the deep relaxation that is unique to an acupuncture treatment. The release of endorphins and relaxing neurotransmitters is enacted during every type of acupuncture treatment, no matter what condition you are being treated for. The effects are typically long lasting and most patients report sleeping better for the next 3-5 days.

Some other ways to relieve stress:

1.  Exercise – This is probably the single best way to reduce your overall stress level.

2. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong & Meditation – I put these in the same category because they primarily help in the same way no matter which one you choose. They are all based on deep breathing. I tell people to try whichever appeals to them the most.

3. Playing or listening to music – It really does soothe the savage beast.