KNOW WHY RELAX IS IMPORTANT

Science is considered to be something that is researched, tangible and therefore generally trusted.

True relaxation is a science, experienced and described by many ancient and modern-day yogis, saints and sages. It is not just about being able to rest (that is something you do when you sleep), nor is it sitting in front of the television with a stiff drink after a hard day’s work. We associate meditation with relaxation, but there are also other practices that can assist in relaxing the mind and nervous system. Deep relaxation involves the interaction and engagement of body and mind. It frees you from troublesome and fragmented thoughts, memories and emotions so your mind is clear and alert, whole and complete. Relaxation can be a complete therapy which, if used regularly, keeps you in optimal health and allows you to rediscover your stillness, your silence within, your true self and your source of creation.

Many of us are overworked, overstretched and overstimulated. The world holds many threats and dangers real and imagined which cause us stress. We are never far from the latest news or the pressures of instant communication, reminders and updates. We are led to believe that we should be constantly setting ourselves goals and chasing exciting new experiences. We become competitive and judgmental, comparing ourselves with others and setting ourselves impossibly high standards. Mass media encourages this trend as people broadcast every event, acquisition, success (and sometimes failure) in their lives in order to attract attention to themselves.

We may fill our spare minutes and hours with recreation, but true relaxation is something we rarely make time for. Some people may even question whether inner peace and quiet are actually worthwhile because, looking from the outside, it appears as if nothing is being achieved. We think we are acting in our children’s best interests by giving them the same busy, activity-filled lives that we ourselves have. We do not allow them the space to become a little bored and explore the world for themselves, and we suffocate their hidden potential by anticipating every need and making them full before they have the chance to be hungry. We overstimulate them and we do the same to ourselves.

We create children in our own image rather than holding the space for them to be individuals.

Relaxation, however, is vitally important on so many levels not only does it benefit your physical, mental and emotional health, but it also reconnects you with the still centre of your being.

This is a place where you can live peacefully and happily. An overly busy mind ends up being ineffective, frustrated and stressed. While it is great to accumulate information, to be brimming with ideas and so on, a silent mind can be your most powerful tool for achieving success in the outside world. Once you have slowed down and discovered this place of stillness, you can realize and accept your areas of strength as well as any shortcomings. Having the courage to be who you are makes it much easier to tap into your creative ability and fulfil your potential.

EFFECTS OF RELAXATION ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is the branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for bringing your body back to a state of equilibrium after it has experienced a stressful situation. Purposeful activation of tthe nervous system through relaxation has a number of benefits for the mind and body, including:

lowering blood pressure

slowing down and deepening breathing, so more oxygen reaches the cells of the body releasing endorphins and serotonin returning to normal bodily functions that have been inhibited by muscle tension (e.g. digestion, elimination of waste and production of white blood cells)

reducing stress

increasing positive emotions

possibly slowing down the physical and psychological ageing processes through the effects of increased prana your life force.

Be aware and Be happiness