http://www.unity-qld.com.au

There are so many responsibilities, increasingly challenging work and family demands that most people struggle with having some sort of relaxation in their lives; so much so that it may take a back seat in your life. If relaxation is taking a back seat in your life, you may be missing out on the health benefits and enjoyment it brings.

Different people have different meanings of relaxation or what relaxes them. Basically, though, relaxation is a feeling of calmness in body and mind and a sense of feeling present in the moment. It is a learned technique which improves and becomes easier with regular practice. If used in stressful situations (or in everyday life) it can reduce tension and is the key to successfully reducing anxiety and stress. When you relax, your body has an opportunity to unwind.

There are a number of different relaxation techniques. The aim is to find one that works for you.

There has been a great deal of research carried out assessing the many benefits of relaxation. The main points are that relaxation:

 allows the immune system to recover and so function more effectively
 improves your body’s efficiency by decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and muscle tension
 increases blood flow to the muscles, reducing muscle tension
 allows you to think better and have improved concentration and better problem-solving abilities
 makes you feel calmer, happier and more energetic
 allows you to experience less discomfort, smoother emotions (less anger, crying, anxiety, and frustration)
 allows you to enjoy more restful sleep

Relaxation has no side effects, feels great and can cost nothing. Even 10 minutes each day will help you to feel much calmer and balanced; reducing negative responses to stress and helping you enjoy a better quality of life.

A relaxation practice is a process that decreases the wear and tear caused by life's challenges on your mind and body, allowing the body to repair and restore itself. Whether you have a lot of stress in your life or you've got it under control, you can benefit from learning relaxation techniques.

Although health professionals can teach relaxation techniques, you can also learn some on your own. They usually involve refocusing your attention to something calming and increasing awareness of your body. It doesn't matter which technique you choose, what matters is that you practice your chosen technique regularly.

Here are three you can try:
 Autogenic relaxation. Autogenic means something that comes from within you. In this technique, you use both visual imagery and body awareness to reduce stress. You repeat words or suggestions in your mind to help you relax and reduce muscle tension.
 Progressive muscle relaxation. In this technique, you focus on slowly tensing and then relaxing each muscle group. You become more aware of physical sensations and you focus on the difference between muscle tension and relaxation.
 Visualisation. In this technique, you form mental images to take a visual journey to a peaceful, calming place or situation. Using as many senses as you can, including smells, sights, sounds and textures helps with creating the image and with the relaxation.

If you are unsure about how to go about using the above relaxation techniques seek advice from a professional in this area.

Other relaxation techniques which you may be more familiar are:
 Yoga
 Tai chi
 Meditation
 Hypnosis
 Massage
 Exercise
 Laughing
 Listening to music
 Breathing deeply
 Reading a Good Book
 An activity that brings your mind into the moment: dancing, walking along the beach, hiking in the mountains, taking photographs, working in the garden, going to the movies, golfing, swimming, visiting museums.

As you become more familiar with relaxation techniques, you'll become more aware of physical sensations of worry, tension and anxiety. Once you know what the stress responses feels like, you can become more conscious in practicing a relaxation technique the moment your muscles start to tense. This in turn can prevent stress from spiraling out of control.

Relaxation techniques are skills, and as with any skill, your ability to relax improves with practice, so be patient with yourself and stay motivated.

I believe relaxation is perhaps the most important key to health and well-being and is an antidote to stress which is known to contribute to the development of illness and disease. Could you consider making it part of your day? You will have fun, feel better for it and the health benefits are endless.