Many of us, myself included, turn to yoga, meditation, tai chi or other mind body practices to reduce stress and relieve anxiety. While past studies provide insights into how these approaches can put us at ease, researchers are still working to understand exactly how such psychosocial interventions can lessen the adverse effects stress on our physical and mental health.
Tomorrow, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health is hosting a Twitter chat on managing holiday stress and what recent research says about the safety and effectiveness of mind body practices for de-stressing. The chat will be held at 12:30 PM Pacific Time. To join participate in the discussion, use the hashtag #nccamchat or follow @NCCAM. Joining the conversation will be NCCAM program officer John Glowa, PhD, who oversees the center's behavioral health research portfolio, and Daniel Pine, MD, from the National Institute of Mental Health.
On a related note, the latest Ask Stanford Med Q&A features David Spiegel, MD, director of the Stanford Center for Stress and Health and medical director of the Stanford Center for Integrative Medicine, responding to questions about managing seasonal stress and depression. In the piece, Spiegel discusses the scientific evidence relating to the use of natural remedies, including fish oil and St. John’s wort, in treating holiday stress and depression.
Previously: Ask Stanford Med: David Spiegel answers your questions on holiday stress and depression, Report highlights how integrative medicine is used in the U.S., More hospitals offering complementary medicine and Meditate and call me in the morning: Study looks at doctors’ referrals for mind-body therapies
Photo by Toby Gray
