This is a useful tool for learning how to relax. A biofeedback system uses the ‘feedback’ to the individual of biological information that is otherwise unavailable to him or her so that he or she can exert some control over a particular body system. Using such techniques people have been able to control the temperature of a particular part of their body, their pulse rate, their blood pressure, their perspiration rate, the relaxation of various specific muscles, and so on. Although there is no guarantee that learning to reduce certain of the effects of stress will reduce them all, biofeedback is definitely a valuable tool and shows the stressed and tense person what can be done with the power of the mind alone.

The simplest piece of biofeedback equipment (it can be bought from good chemist shops and specialist health and sports stores) is a simple skin resistance meter. Pads attached to the fingers detect the level of sweat production-which relates fairly closely to the level of activity of the flight-or-fight stress system of the body. The machine produces a noise, and the idea is to use your mind to silence the noise produced by the machine. How you do this is up to you. Some people think of pleasant, calming scenes. Others imagine a favourite pursuit. Others just gaze at a beautiful picture or object. As sweat production falls, the skin resistance falls and the machine stops making a noise. Such equipment is available, but there is also much more sophisticated and expensive biofeedback equipment on the market. Perhaps the most complex device is the ‘mind mirror’, a type of electroencephalograph which displays twelve printouts of brain waves.

Whichever method is used, the idea-just as with relaxation exercises-is that one recalls the method when the situation gets stressful. Many thousands of people have used relaxation exercises or biofeedback to relieve themselves of stage fright, nerves before exams or a job interview, etc. What you learn at home is put into use whenever you need it.

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