The Truth About Relaxation Techniques

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We all know that relaxation techniques are all the rage - be it meditation, yoga, massage, or whatever. But how important is relaxation? And what exactly will it do for you? The answers may surprise you...



Numerous studies have shown that using relaxation techniques regularly can:

• Decrease the likelihood of heart attack and stroke, and can significantly reduce the incidence of a 2nd heart attack



• Protects you from mental health problems



• Improves your immune system function



• Aids memory and learning



• Improves your coping skills and makes you feel better!

If there's one truth about the way we live today, it's that our stress levels are higher than they were a century ago. A lot higher. And that's not because life is 'harder', but because of the type of stressors we have to cope with.

Today, so much of what we rely on is in the hands of other people, like job security (our employer), food for our family (our employer), our security (the police) and so on. Added to a decrease in the feeling of community and extended family support and you have a great recipe for stress.

With increased stress and the accompanying decrease in relaxation time, comes raised levels of stress hormones within your body - hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Blood pressure rises. Your brain behaves differently affecting memory and healing.
Stress hormones are extremely useful in the short-term - say if you are attacked, but they are toxic in the long-term. They suppress your immune system function and interfere with sleep quality.

But I won't go on, it could get a bit depressing ;-)

Next, Beating Stress with Relaxation