In our fast-paced daily lives, to maintain our productivity and live life to the fullest, it's crucial to find relaxation techniques that suit us. Harvard cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson has studied relaxation as the body's natural response to counteract the stress-induced "fight or flight" reaction. The relaxation response includes physiological changes that occur when the body and mind are calm and at ease.
Dr. Benson discovered that various relaxation practices can induce this beneficial response. Some techniques you might choose to learn based on your individual preferences and needs include yoga, creative visualization, meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and prayer. Regardless of the practice you choose, the expected physiological changes remain consistent: the heart rate slows, muscle tension decreases, breathing rate reduces, and oxygen consumption falls below resting levels.
Numerous studies show that people who regularly achieve a relaxed state can lower blood pressure, reduce pain associated with endometriosis and menstrual cramps, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Consistent practice can also lessen the side effects of chemotherapy, alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and reduce anxiety disorders. These effects are expected only when relaxation techniques are practiced daily.