Deep Relaxation

Deep relaxation is highly beneficial for your mind and body. In addition to the obvious effects of muscle relaxation and stress relief, if practiced regularly, deep relaxation could significantly improve the immune system. research shows, relaxation may help ward off disease by making people less susceptible to viruses, and by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Why does deep relaxation improve health?

The "fight or flight response" is our body`s primitive, automatic, inborn response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from perceived attack, harm or threat to our survival.

When our fight or flight response is activated, our body to undergo a series of very dramatic changes. The blood is rushes to our muscles and limbs, our respiratory rate increases, our pupils dilate, our awareness intensifies. All our bodily resources are directed away from the visceral organs and processes in order to support us in coping with the danger. In other words, the resources are taken away from the body’s growth mechanism which deals replacement of cells and keeping the organs healthy and sent to support our fight or flight.

In addition to that, when your body is sent a signal of danger, resources are also taken from the immune system, as priority is given to the immediate survival, so our body’s immune defense also suffers.

If we are in danger, this is a great mechanism to save our lives. However, this mechanism is activated by most of us on a daily basis by common worries like being late, traffic jams, arguments, deadlines, etc.

Which means that unless we release this stress, it is taking precious resources from our bodies to support this alert state and our overall health suffers.

Have you noticed that even common cold is easier to catch when under stress?

Deep relaxation is the body’s natural way of responding to stress.

While in deep relaxation, muscular tension throughout the whole body is dramatically decreased and visceral processes can resume working the way they are supposed to, the immune system kicks in. It is like watering a plant that has been deprived of water – it comes back to life.  When the cloudy filter of the stress is removed, the brain starts functioning better and the thoughts become much clearer.

Among the many benefits of deep relaxation are:

• More energy
• Better sleep
• Enhanced immunity
• Increased concentration
• Better problem-solving abilities
• Greater efficiency
• Better emotions
• Reduced pain