Next Meeting: Wednesday May 14, 2003

Managing Stress
John Nieters, L.Ac., MS

Stress has long been the subject of much research and speculation. It is common knowledge that certain stressful events affect how we feel physiologically. Change, be it good or bad, causes stress to a human being, leaving him or her more susceptible to disease.

Chinese Medicine is one of the most effective methods for treating stress-related problems. The Chinese Medical view of stress is that excessive emotional stimulation or suppression sets up an imbalance of the basic life force energy called Chi, thereby injuring the body and producing disease. The emotions involved in stress to which Chinese medical theory gives special attention include anger, depression, over-excitement, sorrow, fear, shock, brooding and anxiety.

In Chinese medical theory, anger and depression affect the liver. Over-excitement affects the heart. Sorrow and grief affect the lung, while fear and shock affect the kidney. Brooding and worry and excessive thinking affect the spleen. So relaxing and avoiding stress can keep you alive!

Every person's response to stress is in some ways unique. You can proactively change the physiological imbalance that the stress creates, so your psychological reaction to stress changes, restoring both the body and mind to a proper homeostatic balance. You will be able to cope with problems and feel empowered to make changes in your lifestyle that decreases the stress in your life.

Please join us Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at the Vo's Restaurant in Oakland for a presentation on ways to avoid stress, where John Nieters will educate us on the little things we can do to express emotions without being overwhelmed, while feeling calmer and focused enough to deal with day-to-day problems.

John Nieters, L.Ac., MS, is a licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Therapist practicing in Alameda. He is a professor of Herbology at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences and at the Bodhisattva Healing Arts Center. He is a Diplomate in Acupuncture, Acupuncture Orthopedics, and Chinese Herbology.

STC-Berkeley Chapter Meeting Details
Vo's Restaurant in downtown Oakland, is within easy walking distance to BART, is wheelchair accessible, and has both street and nearby garage parking.

Networking and conversation start at 6:00 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you want to eat dinner, reservations are required and must be received no later than 12:00 noon the Monday before the meeting. Reservations are necessary so that we can order the right amount of food. Do not contact the restaurant.

RSVP Online
Use your credit card to order meeting reservations via the chapter website.
The meeting fee with dinner is $18 for members, $15 for student members, and $21 for nonmembers. If you come for the program only, starting at 7:30 p.m., the fee is $12 for members and nonmembers, and $10 for students. If you are not eating, payments may be made at the door.

RSVP by Mail
Send checks to Berkeley STC, P.O. Box 1007, Berkeley, 94701.