August 11th, 2004
Today’s world produces plenty of stress. In measured amounts and properly used, stress is a challenge that creates an opportunity for growth. If prolonged, however, it can lead to emotional upset and physical illness. Stress is a demand for adjustment placed on an individual by a situation or event. The body’s response to stress is to release a hormone that causes physical changes, such as: increased pulse and blood pressure, increased muscle tension, perspiration and sweaty hands, nervousness, and elevated cholesterol. Frequent and repeated exposure to stress takes a toll on the body, the mind and the spirit.
A stress reducer helps the individual regain a sense of control and equilibrium. Doctor Eliot suggests the following stress-reducing strategies: relax, exercise, eat right, talk to a friend, don’t rely on alcohol or drugs, prioritize your responsibilities, do something for yourself. Thinking about it, we realize that Tang Soo Do training does bring all those strategies together: the intense exercise, the Um-Yang philosophy of life, the pride of learning martial arts, and the chance of belonging to the largest world organization where friendship is infinite makes us strive to live in a environment with reduced stress. Each person has a choice. Reducing stress starts with making the choice to change a behavior and Tang Soo Do will help you achieve this goal.