Are active stress management techniques more effective than passive?

To prevent chronic stress, there are various relaxation methods. A new study shows that techniques in which you have to play an active role, as passive methods are effective.

In recent years, the media increasingly talk about burnout. The total “burnout” seems to be a widespread disease. Here Burnout is not just a buzzword, as many believe. Experts estimate that about 30 percent of the working population are at risk of chronic fatigue. A survey by the According to American Trade Unions find it harder and harder workers, disable after work. Thus, from various periods of stress, chronic stress will occur easily.

To prevent this, regular time-outs are necessary. Relaxation exercises can help to protect against overloads. A study from Italy showed that active coping techniques here are more meaningful than passive. Active relaxation techniques are all methods in which the person concerned must consciously incorporate. These include breathing exercises, yoga, meditation or progressive muscle relaxation. A passive relaxation technique, for example, the massage.

Active techniques lower blood pressure more effectively.

For the study, 70 patients suffering from chronic stress create its own account as well as stress-related symptoms, such as elevated blood pressure had, divided into three groups. The first group received an active relaxation exercise where especially breathing exercises played a role. The second group got oriental massages.The patients in the third group received treatments that met any method recognized; They therefore serve as placebo group.

The effects of different methods have been determined on the basis of questionnaires to the subjective perception of stress as well as the measurement of blood pressure. The results show that those patients who received an active relaxation training, most benefited and reduce their stress symptoms were most effective. It was found that both the subjective perception and objective measurement results showed significant improvements. Active relaxation techniques appear to be so effective as passive. The results should be confirmed by larger studies, however.