In psychology, relaxation is the emotional state of a living being in which there is no arousal, especially from negative sources such as anger, restlessness or fear. According to Oxford Dictionaries, relaxation means that the body and mind are free from tension and anxiety. Benson was referring to the relaxation response, a physical state of deep rest that alters a person’s physical and emotional responses to stress. Sometimes you can’t fall asleep even when you’re exhausted.
This tired but hyper state is a sign that you are still in fight or flight mode . They are sometimes used to treat insomnia. Relaxation is a state of low tension in the mind and body.
People often use certain procedures called relaxation techniques to become more relaxed. Breathing calms the mind and creates a state of relaxation in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, the message “Calm down and relax ” is sent to your brain. And the brain sends this message to the body.
The things that happen when you are stressed, like a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing, decrease when you breathe deeply. Abdominal breathing, for example, relaxes muscles, calms nerves and helps release chemicals (called endorphins) in your body that relieve pain. The practice of meditation has similar benefits. For many people, however, meditation does not always lead to relaxation.
The goal of meditation, after all, is to build the neural muscle of concentration or to realise the nature of mind. These are worthwhile goals, but unlike meditation, yoga nidra is specifically designed to lead us into this state of deep relaxation. To relax using visualisation, try to engage as many senses as possible, including smell, sight, sound and touch. While you can pay for a professional massage or acupuncture session, most relaxation techniques can be done on your own or with the help of a free audio download or low-cost smartphone app.
For example, you can imagine a peaceful environment and then focus on controlled, relaxing breathing, slowing your heartbeat or feeling different physical sensations, such as relaxing each arm or leg separately. There are also other techniques such as guided imagery and visualisation that can be used to reduce stress and relax. You may not be surprised to hear that yoga is a wonderful practice to promote relaxation and well-being. The right technique is the one that suits you, fits your lifestyle and is able to focus your mind in a way that triggers the relaxation response.
Relaxation techniques can reduce symptoms of stress and help you to have a better quality of life, especially if you have a medical condition. Learn these simple relaxation techniques and start de-stressing your life and improving your health. In the study, his research team looked at how the relaxation response affects each of the body’s 40,000 genes and found that those who used the relaxation response regularly produced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory changes that counteracted the effects of stress on the body, compared to a control group. It can help people link effective coping mechanisms or healthy, relaxation-promoting thoughts to reducing tension in their bodies by displaying the body’s various responses through biofeedback devices.
In one study, mothers who were about to go into labour were found to have a significant impact on their anxiety levels by repeating affirmations, allowing them to relax better during labour. In a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, guided imagery and relaxation were found to be as effective as progressive muscle relaxation in reducing pain. This relaxation method uses essential oils and natural scents to reduce stress and create a sense of calm. You will get the most benefit if you use the relaxation techniques in conjunction with other positive coping methods, such as positive thinking, humour, problem solving, time management, exercise, getting enough sleep and support from family and friends.
Depression, anxiety, external stresses such as unemployment, diet and drug use can all affect a person’s state of relaxation.
