Psychology for Living
Gwen Randall-Young Written September 17, 2006
A quiet mind cureth all.
Robert Burton (1577-1640)
Relax for Health
I have recently been reading a lot about the importance of relaxation to good health. However, in our busy world, relaxation is hardly a priority. It more likely is something that is thought about in terms of vacation time or perhaps for a few hours on the weekend.
A relaxed state, however, is the opposite of stress. Stress is the “fight or flight” state which has found its way into our daily lives in the absence of any real threat to our lives. This stress causes overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system and exhaustion of the adrenal glands. Researchers have found that many diseases are caused or aggravated by stress.
Conversely, inducing a relaxation response can resolve or neutralize the negative effects of stress on the body and heal disease. If stress is a constant in our lives, then time for relaxation should be a constant as well.
Generally it is true that we are more health conscious than ever. This health consciousness results in nutritional awareness, and an understanding of the importance of regular exercise. So an individual may eat well, take vitamins and go to the gym three times a week. Relaxation is something that is seen as separate from these health practices.
It is vitally important that we make a shift here, so that we can incorporate relaxation into our daily routine. The nice thing is, it need only take a few minutes. If we took a few minutes each hour just to turn off the mind, take a few deep breaths, and consciously relax all the muscles of the body, the health benefits would be enormous.
Think of it the same was as you do drinking those eight glasses of water per day. The water hydrates the system: the deep breathing and relaxation detoxifies and heals. Pretty simple.
Now, take a nice, deep breath…..
Gwen Randall-Young is an author and Registered Psychologist in private practice. She is the recipient of the Psychologist's Association of Alberta John G. Paterson award (2003) for excellence in portraying psychological knowledge to the public. Visit her website www.gwen.ca or contact her directly: gwendall@shaw.ca Books and CDS available online.
