|
by Steve Visser
Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers
from stress. And the stress we suffer
takes a heavy toll on our
bodies, emotions and minds.
Feeling stressed out, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a
miserable day, the best thing to do is relax.
Watching television may be a form of relaxation for some, but is
not a recommended method by experts. When we watch TV we are
bombarded with commercials, ads, sounds and images. So how do we
achieve relaxation? If there are thousands of ways we can get
stressed, one of them is not meeting deadlines, there are also many
ways we can relax.
In recent studies, experts have determined that heart disease is
linked to anger and irritability is linked to mental stress. Too
much stress brings about ischemia that can lead to or cause a heart
attack. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this
matter. Managing your anger and attitude is significant to heart
health, and relaxation can help you manage stress.
One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation. Recent
studies have also shown that this method might reduce artery
blockage, which is a major cause for heart attack and stroke. People
practice transcendental meditation by repeating uttering soothing
sounds while meditating, this is to achieve total relaxation. The
researchers found that practitioners of transcendental meditation
significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared
with those who didn't practice transcendental meditation.
Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, seems
to reduce high blood pressure by initiating several body functions
for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins.
Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, decrease pain, and
reduce anxiety.
Yoga is also another method for relaxation and may also have
similar effects like acupuncture. In another study, participants
were subjected to several minutes of mental stress. Then they were
subjected to various relaxation techniques, such as listening to
nature sounds or classical music. Only those who did Yoga
significantly reduced the time it took for their blood pressures to
go back to normal. Yoga is a form of progressive relaxation.
Breathing is one of the easiest methods to relax. Breathing
influences almost all aspects of us, it affects our mind, our moods
and our body. Simply focus on your breathing, after some time you
can feel its effects right away.
There are several breathing techniques that can help you reduce
stress.
Another easy way to achieve relaxation is exercise. If you feel
irritated a simple half-hour of exercise will often settle things
down. Although exercise is a great way to lose weight, it does not
show you how to manage stress appropriately. Exercise should also be
used in conjunction with other exercise method.
One great way of relaxation is getting a massage. To gain full
relaxation, you need to totally surrender to the handling and touch
of a professional therapist.
There are several types of massages that also give different
levels of relaxation.
Another method of relaxation is Biofeedback. The usual
biofeedback-training program includes a 10-hour sessions that is
often spaced one week apart.
Hypnosis is one controversial relaxation technique. It is a good
alternative for people who think that they have no idea what it
feels like to be relaxed. It is also a good alternative for people
with stress related health problems.
Drugs are extreme alternatives to relaxation. They are sometimes
not safe and are not effective like the other relaxation methods.
This method is only used by trained medical professionals on their
patients.
These relaxation techniques are just some of the ways you can
achieve relaxation. Another reason why we need to relax, aside from
lowering blood pressure in people and decreasing the chances of a
stroke or a heart attack, is because stress produces hormones that
suppress the immune system, relaxation gives the immune system time
to recover and in doing so function more efficiently.
Relaxation lowers the activities within the brains' limbic
system; this is the emotional center of our brain.
Furthermore, the brain has a periodic need for a more pronounced
activity on the right-hemisphere. Relaxation is one way of achieving
this.
Relaxation can really be of good use once a relaxation technique
is regularly built into your lifestyle. Choose a technique that you
believe you can do regularly.
Most of all make time for yourself in the day. Performing at your
peak in your chosen career does take its toll. You are your own most
valuable asset, do not abuse it. Enjoy life and have fun along the
way you deserve it.
|
