Question

A nurse is caring for a client that, whenever she feels her stress levels Getting out of control, she reminds her self that as long as she is breathing, She can do you will feel better. She says she tells herself that she has the power to breathe slowly and deeply and slowly exhale her stress right out of her body. What she describes is a form of which of the following stress reduction techniques?

Answer 1

The client's method of reminding herself to breathe deeply and slowly during stress is a form of meditation and relaxation, specifically resembling aspects of the relaxation response technique. This approach helps to reduce stress by decreasing sympathetic activation and does not require special equipment, unlike biofeedback.

Step-by-step explanation:

The stress reduction technique described by the client is a form of meditation and relaxation, which involves conscious control of breathing. By focusing on her breath and using deep and slow breathing to exhale stress, she is engaging in a process that is similar to the relaxation response technique developed by Herbert Benson. This technique is based on four components, including sitting upright in a relaxed position, being in a quiet environment, repeating a mantra, and focusing the mind on pleasant thoughts. Although the client's method doesn't encompass all of these components, the focus on slow, deep breathing aligns closely with the relaxation aspect of Benson's technique.

Biofeedback is another stress reduction strategy, which uses electronic monitoring to provide feedback about bodily functions, but it requires specialized equipment and training to use. In contrast, meditation and relaxation techniques like the one described can be practiced without any tools or external aids. Such stress reduction techniques are particularly effective because they reduce sympathetic arousal and have been demonstrated to help with conditions like high blood pressure.