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Show Make Relaxation Part Of Lifestyle By Dr. Date Nelson Utah State University Relaxation, obtained in many different ways, should be a regular part of your life-style. It has been well established that you cannot feel angry, fearful, anxious, insecure, or unsafe as long as your muscles remain perfectly relaxed. Tension in muscles is a "preparation for action" or a "getting ready to respond." Thus, relaxation is nature's own tranquilizer as it brings about mental relaxation in the process. It erects a psychic screen or mumbrella between you and distrubing stimuli. Relaxation literally means no response to a stimulus and our responses often lead us to trouble. The key to whether you are disturbed or tranquil, fearful or composed is not the external stimulus, whatever it may be, but your own response and reaction. Your own response is what makes you feel fearful, anxious or insecure. Tranquilizers work because they greatly reduce or eliminate our own response to disturbing stimuli. If you do not respond at all, it is impossible for you to feel disturbed, regardless of what is happening around you. That's why you need times in your life when you do not respond, especially when the stresses and strains build up and take their toll. And they do, regularly, with most of us. Relaxation Comes In Many Forms It is well known that exercise, done properly, diminishes the tension in muscles. Some people believe the "time out" effect is most important ( during the exercise i period. It gets you away from the disturbing ) stimuli which bring . unfavorable responses, as well as producing favorable effects for your ( physical body. Variety and change of pace activities in what ( you do also seem to be a . part of the business of reducing troublesome ' external stimuli. Exer- cise, in addition, fits this criterion, for what it is i worth. , Break Out of , the Circle You need to reserve time for meditation. 1 Shake free from the 1 constraints of meeting i schedules and doing the thousand and one things ( you think you have to do. ( "Break out of the circle" and relax, even if it means building a quiet ' room or place in your 1 mind. Imagery can be 1 made to work for you. i Take a short vacation , every day in your mind if , you need to. Everyone needs a certain amount of 1 escapism. That's why real vacations work. They get you away from disturbing stimuli, out of the "vicious circle." Leisurely walking, or hikes, or rides or just plain sitting are other suggested escapes. Develop a healing nature with the natural world. Put geographical space around your life as well as psychological space. Cultivate and develop good friends. They add quality to your stressful life. And finally, establish a healing relationship with the Supreme Being of the universe. All of these things will put "problems" into proper perspective. Good luck! |
