TGH class teaches techniques to better manage stress, improve physical health

Photos of a day-long silent retreat at the Seminole Garden Center, part of the Mindfullness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program offered by Tampa General Hospital. The MBSR program is a comprehensive, eight-week training in mindfulness meditation to assist people with stress, anxiety, depression and pain. MSBR provides a combination of mindfulness meditation, body awareness, yoga and exploration of patterns of behavior, thinking, feelings and action. (Credit: Tampa General Hospital)

by: Chris Martinez

Posted: May 30, 2023 / 09:53 AM EDT

Updated: May 30, 2023 / 09:54 AM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Stress can take a major toll on our minds and our bodies.

That’s why a class offered through Tampa General Hospital is teaching stress reduction techniques that can improve both your mental and physical health.

It’s called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR. The program uses techniques like meditation, stretching, and breath awareness to help manage a range of issues like stress, depression, and anxiety.

Doctors say the techniques used in MBSR can also help reduce some potentially harmful physical health issues.

“Our heart rate improves, our blood pressure improves, our stress hormones improve,” said Dr. Tanuja Sharma, Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at TGH.

Dr. Sharma points to published research that shows patients using MBSR techniques saw a 40% reduction in psychological symptoms and a 35% reduction in some medical symptoms.

“We see direct results and it’s been shown to help with chronic diseases like blood pressure, heart rate and chronic pain,” Sharma said.

The MBSR course is an eight-week commitment. Participants attend one class per week, followed by one day-long silent retreat at the end of the course. Classes are offered in-person or virtually.

You can register for the next MBSR course at TGH here: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org)