How to Control Stress From Bell's Palsy

Bell's Palsy is a neurological disorder that causes sudden paralysis of one side of the face. Bell's Palsy takes a few weeks to several months to get better. The cause of Bell's Palsy, most commonly believed by doctors, is stress. Coping with stress can be the key factor in avoiding Bell's Palsy, healing your paralysis faster and teaching you how manage stress in the future.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Concentrate on your breathing. Breathe deep and expand your stomach as much as possible. Monitor this by placing your hand on your stomach to check for expansion. Deep breathing allows your whole body to relax and get in synch. Repeat the process 10 times.
2. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a peaceful environment. Think about a soothing, relaxing place, such as a vacation spot. Focus on the sounds, the smells and the things you see around you. As you sink further into this thought, you become more relaxed.
3. Practice yoga as a form of relaxation. Do yoga in a studio or in your own home. There are many different forms, such as Hatha yoga, which focuses on controlled breathing. Yoga training builds up your response to stress and sends your body to a more relaxed state as you cope with Bell's Palsy. Practice yoga three to four times a week for maximum benefit.
4. Meditate by closing your eyes and focusing on one single sound or word. The sound needs to be a low tone and repetitive. Repeating this over and over again takes your mind out of the logical, everyday thinking. The stimulating nature of repetition allows you to escape and mentally relax.
5. Draw a warm bath. You can fill the tub with various bath scents and oils to encourage relaxation. Aromatherapy and candles are encouraged.

Tips & Warnings

• Depression is an imbalance in the brain and is a serious medical condition. In the event that you have become depressed as a direct correlation to Bell's Palsy or the stresses in your life, contact your physician for a diagnosis.