Q. Are there some good ways to control anxiety without resorting to medications?

You can control anxiety by employing relaxation techniques. When your body is relaxed, breathing slows, blood pressure decreases, and you feel better. This is called the relaxation response, which is the direct opposite of the stress response.

Relaxing can counteract the effects of long-term stress, which may contribute to depression, digestive disorders, headaches, high blood pressure and insomnia.

The techniques mentioned here should not substitute for seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Relaxation techniques are generally considered safe for healthy people, but you should tell all your health care providers about relaxation methods you are considering.

Meditation: Meditation redirects your attention away from the noise of the mind to the inner self where there is silence and peace. There are many types of meditation. You can do it as long as you like.

There are many devices for moving your attention away from your mind. You can count your breaths, repeat a word or sound to yourself, concentrate on a pleasing mental image, chant out loud, recite a prayer over and over.

Most meditation is done sitting with the eyes closed in a quiet place. Slow, rhythmic breathing is an important element of meditation.

Deep breathing: With deep breathing, you consciously slow your breathing and focus on taking regular and deep breaths. I like the 4-7-8 technique. You inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of seven, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of right.

Guided imagery: Also known as visualization, guided imagery is a technique that involves focusing upon images that make you happy. These replace thoughts that are negative and stressful.

Progressive relaxation: You focus on tightening and relaxing each muscle group. Progressive relaxation is often combined with guided imagery and breathing exercises.

Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a technique you can use to learn to control your body's functions. You're connected to electrical sensors that help you receive information about your body. This feedback helps you focus on making changes in your body, such as relaxation.

Autogenic training: Autogenic means something that comes from within you. You use visual imagery and body awareness to reduce stress. You repeat words or suggestions in your mind to relax and reduce muscle tension.

Self-hypnosis: With self-hypnosis you produce a trance-like state in which you have heightened focus and concentration. Hypnosis is usually done with the help of a therapist using verbal repetition and mental images. When you're under hypnosis, you usually feel calm and relaxed, and are more open to suggestions.

Tai chi: Tai chi (tie-chee) is practiced in China. A person doing tai chi progresses slowly and gracefully through a series of movements while breathing deeply and meditating. Tai chi has been called moving meditation.

Yoga: Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines that originated in India. Proper yoga practice combines: physical postures that participants flow into and then hold before proceeding to the next posture; a focus on breathing techniques that make participants more aware of their bodies, and deep meditation and relaxation.

Massage: There are more than 80 kinds of massage that manipulate soft tissue. The purpose of massage is to relax the tissue, increase the flow of blood and oxygen, and decrease pain.

For a three-part series on meditation, or to order "How To Be A Healthy Geezer," 218-page compilation of columns: healthygeezer.com; "Healthy Geezer" questions: fred@healthy-geezer.com