Beyond the Relaxation Response: The Stress-Reduction Program That Has Helped Millions of Americans

by Herbert Benson

From the bestselling author of The Relaxation Response , a practical program that may help
• Relieve headaches, backaches, and chest pains
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Mitigate insomnia and decrease anxiety
 
In just minutes a day, you can easily master the stress-reduction techniques that have helped millions conquer or alleviate one of today’s most serious and widespread health problems. Employing neither drugs nor doctors, Dr. Benson’s program is considered by many to be the most beneficial step forward in personal health and well-being in our time.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Meditation, Medical, Mental Health, Personal Growth

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1984

About the author

Herbert Benson, M.D. (born 1935), is an American cardiologist and founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He graduated from Wesleyan University and Harvard Medical School.

Benson is Mind/Body Medical Institute Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute (BHI). He is the author or co-author of more than 175 scientific publications and 11 books. More than four million copies of his books have been printed in many languages.

Benson is a pioneer in mind/body medicine, one of the first Western physicians to bring spirituality and healing into medicine. In his 35+ year career, he has defined the relaxation response and continues to lead teaching and research into its efficacy in counteracting the harmful effects of stress. The recipient of numerous national and international awards, Dr. Benson lectures widely about mind/body medicine and the BHI's work. His expertise is frequently sought by national and international news media, and he appears in scores of newspapers, magazines, and television programs each year. Dr. Benson's research extends from the laboratory to the clinic to Asian field expeditions. His work serves as a bridge between medicine and religion, East and West, mind and body, and belief and science.

Benson participated in a dialogue that was held at Harvard in March 1991, as part of a conversation between scientists and Buddhists initiated by 14th Dalaï Lama, organized by the Mind and Life Institute. Book Review: MindScience.

Reviews

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book to read after reading The Relaxation Response. The author's premise that a strong faith enhances the beneficial effects of the relaxation response is compelling. Medical science does not fully understand the "placebo effect" preferring instead to prescribe medications to satisfy most patients' demand for a pill to "fix" the damage we do to our bodies. Interesting to learn that 75% of patients seek medical treatment for conditions that do not require medical treatment.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Dr. Benson's book, The Relaxation Response. I had not read his book Beyond the Relaxation Response even though it had been sitting in my bookshelf for years. I am glad that I finally read it. He teaches you how you can reduce your stress in just minutes a day. His techniques are great.

[Jace Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I said, not much headway since, in my review of the relaxation response, this is it. All he did was to have people think of something spiritual while relaxing and discovered it has an effect on people. But yet still doesn't understand why. I'll tell you, it's because of the state of mind it creates. That of love but also of the ponderance of and feeling of reverence for something powerful and inconceivable.

[Jack Swanzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book because of the description and supporting evidence of the Relaxation Response. If you don't know of it and/or don't use it, this could help you in many ways. The writing is clear and descriptive, easy to understand. It's not literature.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book expands upon and embellishes Dr. Benson’s original book on the Relaxation Response, which is elicited when an individual employs a daily relaxation practice. Benson’s research shows that the Relaxation Response can reduce such physical symptoms as hypertension, angina, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and back pain, as well as promoting creativity and peace of mind. In this book, he introduces the Faith Factor, which combines his original relaxation exercise with the patient’s personal beliefs and values, which boosts the technique’s effectiveness.

Various interesting concepts are explored. The placebo effect, where the mind heals the body based upon faith, is noted in both Eastern and Western medicine systems. The mind’s role in causing disease is examined. The idea that the individual’s mind can not only influence his body, but also his environment, is tested by studying Tibetan monks during and after meditation.

Next, Benson gives some practical steps for working with your doctor for optimal health. The last of these steps is to use the Relaxation Response technique. He gives many hints for modifying and personalizing the technique to suit a patient’s spirituality, beliefs, and symptoms, as he relates a number of case histories. His suggestions for overcoming insomnia using the technique are particularly helpful.

Another fast read (about 150 pages), this book compliments "The Relaxation Response" and due to better layout is even more enjoyable. I recommend trying his technique for better health, and considering his suggestions for personalizing the technique to make it work better for you.

[Rick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

More from Herbert Benson on stress reduction and the effectiveness of prayer and other forms of meditation (under the general category of "self-hypnosis") in managing the human body's fight-or-flight response to stressors.

[Gary Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Herbert Archibald's book, "Adrenaline and Stress: The Exciting New Breakthrough That Helps You Overcome Stress Damage" by Archibald D. Hart, which I review at http://is.gd/G8M9mr , I recommend the ground-breaking work in this one by Dr. Benson

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't pass by this book just because of its date. There are some truly good ideas and practical solutions for people who struggle with chronic pain, depression, and insomnia. It has helped me a great deal with managing pain and easing anxiety before sleep.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic on relaxation and the importance relaxation is to our good health.

[This is V! · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuance of the first book with going in deeper why the relaxation response should be used and what can do for you .

[Jack Swanzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and it has practical personal implications.