Relaxation Techniques
Sandi Anders, M.Div., R.Y.T.
Relaxation Techniques Can Relieve Stress and Encourage Relaxation
Relaxation Techniques offer useful resources to handle the stress of contemporary lifestyles. Stress is a built-in physical response to crises and as such, serves you well when you find yourself in an unexpected emergency. However, this response (referred to as the Stress Response) can become chronic. When your stress response becomes chronic, and you allow it to go unchecked, that long-term stress can impact your body in damaging and harmful ways.
Relaxation Techniques can reduce the dangerous results of chronic stress by making it possible for you to relax and move into the Relaxation Response. When you activate the Relaxation Response once or twice each day for 20 minutes, you can start to build up a resistance to the damaging effects of stress! Relaxation techniques enable you to enjoy greater well-being and reduce the wear and tear of life's difficulties on your mind and body.
Relaxation Techniques encourage relaxation by decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which lowers blood pressure levels, heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle tension. Relaxation techniques can be extremely useful in supporting restful sleep, lowering stress and alleviating anxiety.
Useful Relaxation Techniques To Restore Well Being
A few moments of self care with relaxation techniques can greatly assist in restoring your feeling of well being. Use several of the following Relaxation Techniques to relieve stress, relax your body, calm your mind, and replenish your spirit:
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Meditation
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Guided Meditation or Guided Imagery
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Visualization
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Deep Breathing
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation or Body Scan
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Mindful Movement such as Yoga, Tai Chi, QiGong, or Walking Meditation
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Biofeedback
Additional Relaxation Activities
Additionally, the following activities can promote the relaxation response:
Relaxation Techniques and Activities Enhance the Quality of Life
Relaxation techniques and activities can help you to reduce stress and enhance your quality of life. They are most beneficial if they are practiced regularly. Select one or more of the techniques and practice it daily. Try all the techniques, and determine which ones work best for you.
In Relaxation Techniques, Part II, We’ll look at each one of the relaxation techniques in a bit more detail. In Relaxation Techniques, Part III, we will focus on additional relaxation activities that can promote the relaxation response.
