What is the Relaxation Response?
“The best time to practice relaxation is when you don’t think you have the time to practise relaxation.” The relaxation response is a physical state of deep relaxation. From session 1 you will be aware of the fight/flight response, which is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system when we are under excessive pressure. Fortunately there is another branch of the autonomic nervous system called the parasympathetic nervous system, which has an opposite response to the fight/flight mode called the relaxation response. This turns off the fight/flight response returning the body and its biochemistry back to pre-stress levels. (See comparisons between fight flight response and relaxation response in this session). Turning off the fight/flight response and turning on the relaxation response results in decreases in heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension, etc,. As soon as you decide that a situation is no longer threatening the brain stops sending emergency signals to the brain stem, wh
The relaxation response is the process of de-escalating the stress response and inducing relaxation. It is the response of the body when relaxation techniques are used. Some characteristics of the relaxation response: – breathing becomes slow and deep, resulting in the necessary amount of oxygen intake – muscles become less tense – a feeling of calm is experienced – organ function, such as digestion, occurs normally – the ability to think clearly is enhanced – memory improves – improved concentration – feelings of confidence and calm rather than anxiety and fear – increased mental clarity – better sleep, more restful sleep, easier falling asleep – increased productivity during the day – stress hormones return to normal levels – improved immune system (stress hormones interfere with immune system function, while the relaxation response improves immunity) Basically, the relaxation response induces calm, level, normal body functioning.
