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The Relaxation Response: A Perfect Antidote To Stress



The relaxation response

The Relaxation Response helps to keep stress levels down. It helps you in remaining relaxed and composed in stressful situations. It checks body from reacting extremely when stress levels increase. National Institute of Health, USA recognizes the health benefits of Relaxation for the treatment of Sleep and Chronic Pain.

The natural response of our body in a stressful situation is to exhibit symptoms of fight or flight. These symptoms – increase in blood pressure, shallow breathing, contraction of muscles, rise in levels of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, etc. – are good to face up a threatening situation.

In normal circumstances, these symptoms go off by themselves after some time. But if they persist for long periods, they are harmful for body as well as mind.


What Is It?

The Relaxation Response can be understood as the ability of an individual to bring his or her body and mind to a state where -


  • Mind and Muscles are relaxed,

  • Heart rate decreases,

  • The blood supply to brain is increased,

  • Blood pressure is decreased,

  • Breathing is slow and deeper.


The response was discovered by Dr. Herbert Benson who derived it from his studies of Transcendental Meditation. He was the pioneer in mind/body medicine, a founding member of Institute of Mind/Body Medicine and, through his pioneering work, proved beyond doubt that all activities that bring forth the Relaxation Response in an individual, create such conditions in the body that are the exact counterpart to those brought about by stress.


Benefits Of Relaxation

Extensive research has been done on Relaxation Response and it is known to offer following benefits -



  • Lowers stress hormones,

  • Increases arousal from the drowsy state,

  • Lowers blood pressure,

  • Helps in relieving pain,

  • Increases motivation and productivity,

  • Improves decision making,

  • Helps in curing sleep disorders,

  • Lowers anxiety and irritability.


One of the effective ways to ensure a good relaxation response is with relaxing affirmations. Find out here how affirmations can help you with stress.

There are, however, various methods you can follow to achieve the relaxation response. Click here to go through these and decide which one suits you the most...



Further Reading

6 Simple steps to activate the Relaxation Response

Stress And Anxiety Relief With Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Effective Relaxation Techniques To Reduce Stress And Anxiety

5 Simple Relaxation Techniques For De-Stressing

Reduce Stress With Guided Imagery

Meditation: Stress Relief Through Awareness

Deep Breathing For Stress Relief

Relieving Stress By Exercise

Practice Self Hypnosis for Stress and Anxiety Relief

Stress Relief Tips & Techniques: Top 10 Stress Relievers

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