How can relaxation response techniques affect physiological measures?

• A. They raise blood pressure.
• B. They have no effect on physiology.
• C. They can lower blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and cortisol; they reduce sympathetic arousal.
• D. They only affect digestion.

Answer: (C)

Relaxation response techniques activate the body's calming, parasympathetic system and dampen the stress-driven sympathetic drive. With practice, this shifts the body toward a calmer state, leading to lower blood pressure, slower heart rate, slower respiratory rate, and reduced cortisol levels. In short, these practices blunt autonomic arousal and the stress hormone response, producing measurable improvements across cardiovascular and hormonal systems. They do affect physiology and influence more than just digestion, including reductions in the key stress-related measures listed.