Stress

Light and Sound Therapy and Stress

The symptoms of anxiety and stress are associated with feelings of tension, fear, worry, and apprehension. Physiological reactions to these symptoms may include increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, sleep disturbances, weakness, and fatigue.

Deep relaxation provided by some of the Inhibitory Programs in the D.A.V.I.D. 1 may induce feelings of tranquility and reduce the intensity of anxiety and stress symptoms.

The Use of Light and Sound for the Symptoms of stress

The use of the Light and Sound programs have been used as an intervention for the symptoms of stress in a clinical setting in conjunction with psychotherapy. Occasionally, the use of these programs can induce slight feelings of anxiety which may be accompanied by physical discomfort such as "pressure" in the chest or nausea. It is commonly believed that the activation and surfacing of these feelings and sensations may result in the "release" and resolution of trauma and "fear based" responses. These feelings of anxiety and fear can be associated with current stressors such as worry, unpleasant memories, loss, past or current emotional pain, or trauma. The interruption of stress responses and the release of these feelings can be vital factors in the resolution of anxieties and fears.

Because each of us can be affected by daily stresses and negative or emotional events, the experience of some anxiety can be a normal response to auditory and visual stimulation. However, if you or your client experience intense emotional distress, you should discontinue the session immediately.

Inhibitory programs are always recommended to assist in decreasing the symptoms of anxiety. Inhibitory programs can cause a decrease of brainwave frequencies which may result in reducing the anxious symptoms and calm the physiologic stress response. The slowing of beta and high alpha states may aid in the control of emotion, inhibit feelings of agitation, and induce physical relaxation.

What is stress?

We are all familiar with the word "stress". Stress is when you are worried about getting laid off your job, or worried about having enough money to pay your bills, or worried about your mother when the doctor says she may need an operation. In fact, to most of us, stress is synonymous with worry. If it is something that makes you worry, then it is stress.

Your body, however, has a much broader definition of stress. To your body, stress is synonymous with change. Anything that causes a change in your life causes stress. It doesn't matter if it is a "good" change, or a "bad" change, they are both stress. When you find your dream apartment and get ready to move, that is stress. If you break your leg, that is stress. Good or bad, if it is a change in your life, it is stress as far as your body is concerned.

Even imagined change is stress. (Imagining changes is what we call "worrying".) If you fear that you will not have enough money to pay your rent, that is stress. If you worry that you may get fired, that is stress. If you think that you may receive a promotion at work, that is also stress (even though this would be a good change). Whether the event is good or bad, imagining changes in your life is stressful.

Which of these is stress?

• You receive a promotion at work.
• Your car has a flat tire.
• You go to a fun party that lasts till 2:00 a.m.
• Your dog gets sick.
• Your new bedroom set is being delivered.
• Your best friend and his wife come to stay at your house for a week.
• You get a bad case of hay fever.
• All of the above.

All of these are stress

If you are used to thinking that stress is something that makes you worry, you have the wrong idea of stress. Stress is many different kinds of things: happy things, sad things, allergic things, physical things. Many people carry enormous stress loads and they do not even realize it!