The Relaxation Response

"refers to the inborn capacity of the body to enter a special state characterized by lowered heart rate, decreased rate of breathing, lowered blood pressure, slower brain waves, and an overall reduction of the speed of metabolism. In addition, the changes produced by this Response counteract the harmfull effects and uncomfortable feelings of stress"
-Herbert Benson, M.D. Beyond the Relaxation Response

Amazingly, the relaxation response comes naturally to the body (as seen in deep, dreamless sleep and deep meditation) and that is a powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga can help you activate this relaxation response, as can therapeutic treatments which actively decongest the system and promote the deep healing state.

When practiced regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in your everyday stress levels and an increase in your feelings of joy and serenity. On top of this, they also serve a protective quality by teaching you how to stay calm and collected in the face of life's curveballs. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!!

What the Relaxation Response IS:

a conscious mentally active process that leaves the body relaxed
best done in the awake state
trainable
improves with practice

What the Relaxation Response IS NOT:

laying on the couch watching television
sleeping
laziness

We know that the stress response floods the body with chemicals that prepare it for fight or flight. This is helpful for emergency situations where we must be alert, but it wears the body down when constantly activated.

We can't avoid all stress, but we can counteract its negative effects by learning how to evoke the relaxation response, a state of deep rest that is the polar opposite of the stress response.

Benefits of Relaxation:

- deepening your breathing,
- reducing stress hormones,
- slowing down heart rate and blood pressure,
- relaxing your muscles
- increases energy and focus,
- combats illness,
- relieves aches and pains,
- heightens problem-solving abilities,
- boosts motivation and productivity
- increases happiness, by releasing dopamine, seratonin, oxytocin and other immunomodulators to change brain chemistry

Starting a Relaxation Practice:

All you need is the desire or motivation! Even the most stressed out individual can learn how!

Rana Waxman can help you determine which techniques are best suited to you, or if you have a group in the workplace, she can teach this in the corporate setting. Contact for more details.