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PrintUsing Relaxation Techniques to Beat the Effects of Stress
So how can relaxation help? And what type, how often and when? Well,
as with all these things, there's no 'one size fits all' answer,
but there are certain scientifically-supported guidelines we can
follow.
Listen to your body's natural relaxation rhythms. Every 90-120 minutes
your brain swings from left to right-hemispheric dominance for about
20 minutes. During these times you feel more day-dreamy, or have
difficulty concentrating, or it you are asleep, you dream. Taking
a break at these times allows your body its natural period of rest
and healing, as the brain takes care of 'internal housekeeping'.
Click here for more on Ultradian
Rhythms. (For even more on this, see Rossi's 'The
Psychobiology of Mind-Body Healing'.)
Relax deeply once a day for 15-20 minutes. Even if you can't manage
every day, you will soon notice how much better you feel and how
much more capable you are when following this regime. The best time
to do it is when you naturally experience a dip, such as after lunch
or mid-afternoon. You may like to use a relaxation tape such as
Peaceful Moments.
If you find 'pure' relaxation difficult, make sure that you give
your brain time to switch off by doing exercise, or taking a quiet
walk, or use a tape as recommended in no.2
If you have an immune-based, digestive, heart, or skin problem,
using relaxation techniques is even more important as relaxation
may help your condition significantly. Ongoing stress disrupts the
normal bloodflow to the gut and can lead to problems such as IBS.
Next, Relaxation Benefits
