Stress Management
NCH provides extensive treatment for stress management. Apart from the normal QEEG registration done at the intake, it is also possible to do a Stress Test. Besides the QEEG parameters, the Stress Test takes a close look at more biofeedback parameters such as:
- ECG (ElectroCardioGram): heartrhythm and heart variability
- EMG (ElectroMyoGram): muscle tension
- GSR (Galvanic Skin Response): skin resistance
- Peripheral body temperature
This test offers an insight into the reaction of your autonomic nervous system to short-term stress and the extent to which the nervous system recuperates from this stress. The findings of this test determine which parameters are most suited for you to train with in order to increase your ability to deal with stress.
During the training feedback of these specific parameters is combined with EEG feedback. The determining factor in stress management is the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Of importance here is the resilience and the stability of the brain to adequately govern the two parts of the ANS: the sympathetic and parasympathetic system. The sympathetic system is responsible for enabling your body to get into action (e.g. blood is being sent to your muscles). The parasympathetic system, which is the counterpart of the sympathetic, is responsible for enabling your body to recuperate after action (e.g. blood is being sent to your intestines to stimulate the digestion of your food). The balance between these two systems is disrupted under chronic stress and burn-out.
Under normal circumstancs you will perceive that, when you relax;
- your peripheral body temperature will increase
- your muscle tension will decrease
- your heartrate variability will increase
- the conductivity of your skin will increase
