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If you have the proper tools to listen
to it, your body can tell you a lot about its function,
including how it responds to stress. Part of this response
is the effect stress has on the autonomic nervous system,
which controls involuntary functions such as heartbeat,
digestion and respiration. Whenever the brain detects a
change, the autonomic nervous system produces immediate
physical responses. Your blood pressure, heart rate and
skin moisture level change. Biofeedback uses electronic
instruments to make you aware of these changes and to
teach you how to better control them. (You could think
of it as a self-monitoring tool. But its also an
educational tool that can be used to promote self-awareness,
self-exploration, self-control and deep relaxation.)
With the ability to identify and measure your bodys
responses to stress through biofeedback, you become
sensitive to how your body feels. You will start to
feel the subtle ways tension and stress affect it
as well as how to release that tension and stress.
Thus, biofeedback can act as a communication link
between your mind and body - a link that is vital
to any effective stress reduction program.
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