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Let’s start with the basics.
A relaxation technique is any method, process, procedure, or activity that helps a person to relax.
And the goal of relaxation is to attain a state of increased calmness and reduce levels of anxiety, stress or tension. Easy.
Techniques for Relaxation
The benefits of implementing relaxation techniques into your life effect both physical and emotional elements. There is a decrease in muscle tension (less tension headaches and physical pain in the body), lower blood pressure and slower heart rate.
Emotionally you are more stable in your moods and you can view situations with greater clarity and perspective. So using relaxation techniques make you healthier, and your life will be better!
In an age where stress is accepted in an average day, (be it pressure from work, financial concerns, or family commitments) incorporating effective relaxation techniques into your life is of vital importance for a healthy and balanced life.
People use different relaxation techniques for a variety of specific reasons; Anger management, Anxiety attacks, Cardiac health, Depression, General well-being, Headaches, High blood pressure, Immune system support, Insomnia, Pain and Stress management among others.
And just as everyone has a unique problem, the best relaxation technique is unique for each individual too.
My father runs 10 miles to get distance from the pressures of his work day. That would do me more harm than good! I prefer to sit in silence and focus on the energy flow of my breath. Some people talk to friends for hours on the telephone, while others read a book to escape into a fantasy land to experience their optimal relaxation.
So what relaxation technique works best for you?
Let’s break the various techniques down into two groups; Movement Based – and Passive.
Movement Based Relaxation
Movement-based relaxation methods incorporate things like Walking, Gardening, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, and more serious exercise – like going to the Gym. In these cases the physical changes in the body cause the relaxation. The release of endorphins makes you feel good and reduces stress levels.
Passive Relaxation
Passive forms of relaxation include Meditation, Conscious breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Visualization. These minimal movement techniques involve a degree of withdrawal from active thought and analysis.
Research into the benefits of relaxation techniques first started in the 1960′s. The very first results indicated a strong correlation between chronic stress and poor physical and emotional health.
Meditation Reduces Stress
Meditation was among the first relaxation techniques proven to have a measurable effect on stress reduction. In the 1970s, self-help books teaching varied relaxation techniques began to appear on the bestseller lists around the world. The general community became aware of the need to relax, and began to explore the variety of methods available to find the best suited for them.
Research released in the 1980s indicated even stronger ties between stress and health, and showed benefits from a wider range of relaxation techniques than had been previously known.
Nowadays, conventional medicine has adopted the concept and practitioners recommend using relaxation techniques to improve patient outcomes in many situations.
Incorporating regular relaxation techniques into your life is a mainstay of complementary and alternative medicine.
So what are the current relaxation techniques that you employ for your optimal health?
What do you do to reduce your stress?
Everyone knows meditation is good for you, but those who engage in regular practice in the West are relatively few. Common objections are; “It is too hard, I can’t sit still for very long, my mind wanders, and I can’t still my thoughts.”
Traditional Meditation has been an effective technique used for thousands of years, but the benefits of strict practice can take years of dedication.
Unlike other forms of meditations where you are left to your own devices, Guided Meditation leads you safely through the entire practice.
Just to make it clear, Guided Meditation is Easy!
The guide first draws your attention to your breathing, and then systematically relaxes the muscles of your body. You are then led step by step on a journey geared for deep relaxation and mental clarity. Ten minutes is all you need to freshen your perspective and recharge your spirits.
If you have never tried a Guided Meditation don’t delay. There are free guided meditations available on the Explore Meditation website to for you to add to your relaxation technique arsenal.
As science has proven, and millions of individuals testify, relaxation techniques are important for physical and mental health.
Adopting the regular practice of an effective relaxation technique into your life has proven benefits.
Explore different methods of relaxation to see not only what is most effective for you, but what you most enjoy.
Happy Relaxing!
Nigel Coates
In the fast paced world we live in, taking time out to unwind and relax is becoming more important and necessary.
Job and family demands can build up and become overwhelming… Not to mention the constant bills, car payments and rent or your mortgage.
What is the solution?
Well there are many, but a very simple one is to practice relaxation meditation.
With meditation – you begin to feel an inner peace and stillness. It allows you to slow your down your mind and hush the constant mental chatter.
Ultimately, you learn to take control of our thoughts and emotions – and the little bumps in the road of life become much smoother.
Ever Carried the Weight of the World on Your Shoulders?
One of the main reasons I became so passionate about Guided Meditation, is because I was getting amazing results in my massage treatments.
Now the immediate link may not be apparent, but think of sayings like… “Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders”.
People who are overcome by burden, responsibility, pressure and stress, literally hunch over as their muscles become tighter. Their shoulders become rigid and their brow furrowed. Their life is hard work!
My spiritual Journey has introduced me to some amazing people around the world, and today I want to take you to South Africa. I was introduced to Doug Hoseck by our mutual friend Haroun Kola (who I originally knew from ‘Yoga South Africa’). It’s probably easiest for Doug to introduce himself.
“Hi. I first encountered ‘brainwave entrainment’ because my son was labeled ADD. We refused to give him any kind of drugs and went looking for alternatives. We found someone locally who was doing brainwave entrainment for ADD children. My son went to 6 sessions and we have seen enormous change. The effects were so immediate I was amazed. I started learning everything I could about it. Then I started playing with some awesome software. I needed meditation tracks for myself, so I created them. I found the meditations I was creating, with embedded isochronic tones, were particularly powerful.”
Treating clients with massage therapy is my day job. To keep it interesting, I include energy work, intuition, and where suitable… guidance.
I am not a trained counselor, so I must keep in check what I suggest, but it was only the other day I realized I do give out quite a bit of advice that falls into the category of commonsense.
I guess it was a natural progression as I always give my injured clients ‘homework’. I suggest specific stretches for those with localized dysfunction. There are good stretches that can be done safely to help, or other things that can trigger spasm or pain. I know the difference and people take my advice on board.
I also use other keys to better health, such as for my salesman with bad posture. Every time he hears his cell phone ring (which is very often) he tightens his abs, rolls back his pelvis and pulls in his chin. For a week he had to ‘try’, but now it is now an automated trigger that is making him a better person.
But a lot of the clients I see carry stress and burden with them continuously.
External Information…
Deep Meditation or Deep Escape – meditationhow.info