No matter where you reside in the world, there is much to get stressed out about. For example, the Nikkei, DAX, FTSE and Dow have consistanly been like a roller-coaster ride. One day the markets are up. The next day it's crash and burn time. People are unemployed in shocking numbers. Others are afraid to do anything in the event that they may be next in the unemployment line. In the U.S. there happens to be another source of stress - tax time! Yes, the April 15th deadline is approaching fast.

And, don't forget about the everyday stresses like your career, taking care of yourself and your family and even your commute to work! Yes, even that "honk honkin', finger flippin' road rager" causes you to be stressed out.

The issue is that stress can and does negatively affect your health - both mentally and physically. Studies have proven that stress leads to:

1) Emotional issues, such as a lack of concentration and substance abuse, relationship issues, needless arguments and domestic violence,

2) Studies are showing that stress also causes unwanted weight gain. With obesity approaching epidemic numbers in many countries, who needs the extra pounds,

3) Plus, there's the physical symptoms such as high-blood pressure, back pain and sleep disorders!

In fact, according to recent estimates by the American Heart Association, nearly 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure (hypertension). Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. Doctors recommend weight loss and regular exercise as the first steps in treating mild to moderate hypertension. But, perhaps you do not want to join a gym or work up a sweat. Or you have physical limitations that prevent vigorous exercise. Or, you have just slowed down as you got older.

Here's my "secret" stress buster that I will share with you - Qigong.

Qigong is thousands of years old and involves the coordination of different breathing patterns with various physical postures and motions of the body. Qi means breath or gas in Mandarin Chinese and is the energy produced by breathing that keeps us alive; gong means work or technique. Qigong is then the "breath work" or the art of managing the breath to achieve and maintain good health and to enhance the energy mobilization and stamina of the body in coordination with the physical process of respiration. The gentle, graceful movements of Qigong and meditation, combined with controlled breathing exercises make it an ideal fitness program to improve men's health, women's health and children of all ages - they're even great exercises for senior citizens. As humans, our Qi energy is at its peak in our late teen years, 18-20. As we become older, we lose a little of our energy. It is only through continued practice of Qigong that you can increase your Qi energy and vitality to build physical and mental strength, help fortify your immune system, relieve stress and speed recovery from injury for a longer, healthier life.

Qigong for Stress Relief relaxes your mind and body to release your stress, improve and calm breathing, strengthens your internal organs and can help to lower your blood pressure. Evidence suggests that reducing your blood pressure by just 5-6 points can:

1) Decrease the risk of stroke by 40%,

2) Decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by 15-20%, and

3) Reduce the likelihood of dementia, heart failure, and mortality from vascular disease.

Ask yourself these questions...Are you overweight? Do you exercise at all? Are you currently on drug therapy to bring your blood pressure down to a safe level? Is your boss and lifestyle driving you crazy?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then Qigong for Stress Relief is for you!

After completing a "cleansing breath" warm-up exercise, you'll practice the incredible "Stress Relief Qigong" exercise that will help to control, lower and maintain a healthy and stress free level. As you do the exercises you will enter a state of calmness and serenity. In addition the soothing, yet very effective movements in the "Stress Relief Qigong" exercise will help your flexibility, remove pain, gently loosen your joints and also improve your balance and equilibrium. Your body will move in all directions — lightly moving up, down, pushing, pulling, turning and twisting — on the way to better health, fitness and wellness.

Next, you'll move on to the section "Breathing Exercises" to further reduce your stress, letting your tension melt away.

And to wrap it all up, further relax with the "Meditation" exercise. Meditation is one of the keys to relieving stress, and to increase your ability to focus on your plans and thoughts for success and improve your overall health and well being.

Living a stress-free life is critical to your overall health and well being. Experience the power of Qigong.

Copyright (c) 2009 Mind Body Spirit Central, LLC