Stress Relief for GERD on the Go

Posted: Feb 22 in Lifestyle & Behavior by Staff

Stress is a consistent trigger of heartburn in Georgia, but it’s also a natural part of life. As much as we’d like to, we cannot banish stress completely from our lives, and this is what makes it so important to learn stress management techniques as you work to control the symptoms of GERD.
Though exercises like progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing can help you cope with and reduce stress, they work best when we have 10 or more minutes to dedicate to them. If you find yourself in the midst of a stressful situation, you probably won’t have time to sit down and close your eyes, and this means you may need to find another way to keep your anxieties from running amok.
There are countless ways to relax, and some of them can provide quick, in-the-moment stress relief. The next time you need to reduce stress in a flash, try:

• Visualizing peace. Let your mind’s eye wander far from the source of your stress. Picture something that you find deeply calming and focus yourself on that, envisioning it in as much detail as possible. This can amount to a relaxing place, like a tropical island, or a calming sensation, like being wrapped in a cozy blanket. Make it vivid for the best results—try to visualize details that engage all of your senses.
• Turning on some tunes. The right music can have a deeply calming effect—relaxing, slow-tempo songs can even help you reduce your heart rate. Classical music has the best-researched impact, but anything that eases your mind can do the trick.
• Thinking positively. Often, it isn’t a situation itself that stresses us out, but rather the pessimistic way we look at it. You may be able to ease your stress by focusing on the positive aspects of your situation. Thinking positively can help you slow your heart rate and reduce muscle tension while also bringing a stress-busting smile to your face. Sometimes, all it takes to turn your attitude around is thinking about something that makes you happy or excited, like your pet, spouse or an upcoming event.

Stress can make heartburn in Georgia much more difficult to deal with, but there are ways to keep it under control in any situation. What other techniques have helped you cope with stress and symptoms like heartburn in Georgia? Tell us in the comments below!