Question

A nurse advises a stressed patient to perform meditation to decrease stress levels. How does meditation help in relieving stress?

1) By creating a hypometabolic state of quieting the sympathetic nervous system.
2) By allowing switching from the sympathetic mode to the parasympathetic mode.
3) By dampening the cognitive processes likely to induce stress and anxiety reactions.
4) By eliminating muscle contraction and decreasing the related anxiety levels.

Answer 1

Meditation helps in relieving stress by creating a hypometabolic state, allowing a switch from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic mode, and dampening cognitive processes that induce stress and anxiety reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Meditation helps in relieving stress through several mechanisms:

1. By creating a hypometabolic state: Meditation can induce a state of quieting the sympathetic nervous system, reducing the body's stress response.
2. By allowing switching to the parasympathetic mode: Meditation helps in shifting from the sympathetic mode (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic mode (rest and digest), promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
3. By dampening cognitive processes: Meditation helps in reducing the cognitive processes that contribute to stress and anxiety reactions, promoting a sense of calm.