Stress reduction for tinnitus
Tinnitus is often thought of and treated as if it was only a physical problem, usually; a circulatory disorder of the inner ear, near the cochlear mechanism, or a neurological deficit. So it is no surprise that stress reduction for tinnitus is not a common consideration when it comes to tame the constant noise that drives sufferers to distraction. While it is fundamentally true that a circulatory problem exists in a large percent of tinnitus cases, researchers now understand how important it is for stress reduction for tinnitus treatment to be included in order for any therapy program it to be effective.
In an ongoing study at the medical school in
Hanover,
Germany, researchers have gone to great length to determine the degree to which a patient's general attitude and state of well-being influences individual perception of tinnitus and how much this leads to emotional suffering. In the German study some people hardly noticed their tinnitus, while other study subjects suffered to a great degree because of the continuous ringing or buzzing of their tinnitus. This last group often experienced a vicious cycle of sleep disorders, growing awareness of stress, anger, irritability, and dissatisfaction with life, eventually leading to increased emotional distress to the point that clinical depression developed.
Those with greatest need for stress reduction for tinnitus had a long history of suffering from various aspects and degrees of other stress expressions, most especially psychosomatic ailments and/or being strongly driven perfectionists. The study indicated some of the participants believed their tinnitus was just a symptom of some larger and more terrible disease. Those participants who tended to have a more calm disposition, with a general sense of well-being and self-acceptance, were found to suffer fewer psychological effects from the continuous buzzing or ringing in the ears, and did not require stress reduction for tinnitus in order for treatment to be successful.
Attitude to maximize stress reduction for tinnitus
Most every tinnitus sufferer is wrongly told nothing can be done about their tinnitus, and that it would be best for them to just learn to live with the constant ringing or buzzing in the ears. Although it is true there is no medical cure for tinnitus, there are a multitude of Alternative Medicine therapies that are effective when grouped into a treatment plan as described by the Tinnitus Treatment Institute. While this aggressive tinnitus treatment is conducted using multiple conservative natural treatment measures, it is good for someone with tinnitus to learn to use stress reduction for tinnitus techniques to successfully manage their tinnitus in a manner that tinnitus does not present a constant emotional irritant. In this way, people with tinnitus, no matter what degree of tinnitus is experienced, can lead happy, relaxed and productive lives.
The first 58 years of my life were filled with tinnitus 24 hours a day, and all of its attendant ongoing stresses and hearing loss. On a 0 to 10 scale my tinnitus was usually at a 3 or 4, but as I got older I noticed different stressful situations could quickly and easily bring the irritating noise up into the
8 to 9 range. Early in life I learned there were several ways for me to intensify my tinnitus, but personal stress was the worst aggravator.
When constant and and unrelenting, the tinnitus response can be worsened by the drain of the adrenal gland flight-or-flight mechanism that eventually leads the exhausted body to anxiety, depression and insomnia – that in turn aggravate the tinnitus. Prolonged stress will make the tinnitus noises seem much louder than they would be in a relaxed state. Soon a daily repeated escalation of the stress related problem leads to the ear noises taking the sufferer to the emotional edge.
Stress is a natural and spontaneous response to a positive or negative stimulus. When the body is stressed, certain biochemical and physical changes will occur. Blood vessels restrict and reduce blood circulation, the heart rate increases as well as breathing rate and blood pressure. Positive and negative stress results in the same chemical and physical changes. Finding a new job or losing a job, buying a house or selling a house, getting married or getting divorced, being alone at Christmas or a house full of company during the holidays, all cause stress. The real damage to our minds and bodies occurs when stress is continuing and causes inappropriate emotional reactions to the outside events in our life.
Stress always attacks us at the weakest point of our physical or mental makeup. Whatever area is weak and vulnerable will become worse during stress, and aggravate tinnitus, and this in turn makes the tinnitus worse. To break the tinnitus stress cycle requires deliberate awareness and effort to bring things back under personal control.
Of all the ways to reduce and control stress, simple and inexpensive exercise is one of the very best; brisk but leisurely walking every day – and especially when feeling agitated – is most helpful, as well as any good aerobic or weight-bearing exercise. Stress reduction techniques such as relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga, and prayer can also be very helpful.
Using meditation as stress reduction for tinnitus
Here is an outline for a simple and effective meditation:
- Sit in a comfortable chair, relaxed, perhaps with your feet up. Breathe slowly and deeply, in through the nose and out through the relaxed lips, for 1-2 minutes. Use only the diaphragm muscle to completely fill your lungs, and then slowly release; your abdomen should move in and out, but your chest should not raise up and down, when this is done correctly.
- Allow you concentration to stay on your toes, and consciously relax them thoroughly. Make sure your toes are absolutely relaxed. When your toes feel relaxed and at peace, then do the same for your feet, and then your ankles, and then your legs and knees and so on.
- Slowly move up your body, concentrating on each part until it is totally relaxed; take your time slowly getting up to the top of your head and your fingertips.
- When done correctly, your entire muscle system should be in a state of total relaxation.
- Maintain the relaxed state for five minutes, and then stop. Repeat this exercise daily.
Go With the Flow
Scientific studies confirm the concept that our physical, mental, spiritual selves are an inseparable whole. Our mental, emotional and spiritual health are just as important in protecting us from chronic illness as diet and exercise. Feeling connected to yourself and others, having a sense of purpose in life, feeling hopeful, being loved and to love, all help you create the life you want for yourself and are the key ingredients for stress reduction for tinnitus.
TTI strongly recommends that anyone suffering from tinnitus begins active Alternative Medicine treatment using the therapy guidelines suggested throughout this website. The results are great and therapy will probably improve other aspects of your health while you are at it.