As odd as it may seem, typically the most beneficial program is for the pat=
ient to avoid
stress and to get lots of rest. This is usually the most effective regimen,=
 among others
that might also be undertaken. Stress does not merely mean unpleasant exper=
iences,
but rather any biological stressors, physical or emotional, which prompt a =
protective
reaction in the body and which may alter physiologic equilibrium ("homeosta=
sis").
(Read the discussion about stress under question 2.04.) Failure to avoid st=
ress often
leads to short-term and long-term set-backs which may be serious. Many pati=
ents
believe that if they had done more to avoid stress in the early phases of t=
he illness, they
would not have become nearly so disabled later on. The correlation between =
stress and
the progress of this illness appears to be strong.