Relaxation
Learning to relax is essential to feeling in control and getting rid of anxiety and feelings of overwhelm.
Relaxation techniques use the breath and visualisation for deep relaxation.
Guided relaxation helps you to feel more in control, less anxious and tense which enables you to make better decisions and choices. Breathing is the link between our body and our mind. As you slow and regulate your breath by breathing deeply and releasing the breath completely, you are giving your brain the message: ‘look, I am breathing properly and letting go of tension, the danger is over.’ So the brain stops the release of adrenaline, and the fight or flight symptoms gradually subside.
You will notice the benefits after a few minutes as you will have increased your lung capacity, so you will be breathing in more oxygen and breathing out more carbon dioxide, which helps clear your mind and makes you feel less tense and more relaxed.
The other important benefits of being able to relax include improved sleep and reduced pain and fatigue. It can also improve your health by lowering your blood pressure and reducing the associated risk of heart disease. Reducing anxiety and stress levels boosts your immune system (which is compromised when we are in Fight or Flight mode) and so therefore improves your long term-health by building your resistance to illness.
It increases confidence in your ability to deal with feelings of anxiety and stress and by being more relaxed you can improve your relationships at home and at work. Letting go of tension in your body and reducing your anxiety and stress levels can enhance your sex life by increasing libido and improving performance.