Relaxation Techniques That Work
Content
Index
Relaxation and its importance.............................................................................2 Side Effects of Not Getting Enough Rest........................................................................ 3 What does Relaxation really mean? ......................................................................4 So what is Stress? ...........................................................................................................4 Contained Stress ..........................................................................................................6
2
Relaxation and its importance
In today’s world each of our lives seemingly gets busier with each passing day. Time for ourselves and time for relaxation is hard to find, thanks to work pressure, school work, family or other commitments.
But we all must remember that rest and relaxation is essential for us, and lack of either might lead to serious ailments and other negative side effects.
Side Effects of Not Getting Enough Rest On average each adult needs about 7-8 hours of sleep every night. This amount of sleep will rejuvenate the body and allow it to work properly. Adequate rest also equips the body to help fight infections and other illnesses better.
However, very few of us actually gets 7-8 hours of sleep. All of our busy lives force us to cut down on the hours that we sleep. We work more hours each day and therefore we get less sleep.
Less sleep leaves the body weak and vulnerable – open to attacks on the immune system. Thus, the more we work, the more open we become to infections and even diseases. It’s these illnesses that force people to miss days or even weeks of work.
3
Lack of proper sleep and relaxing also leads to several other problems like temporary amnesia, lack of concentration and slower thinking process. These symptoms tend to grow worse the fewer hours we sleep.
Inadequate night-time sleep and relaxation also significantly affects our moods. This has been proved by scientists all over the world. Less sleep makes us grumpy and impatient the following day, which makes us difficult to deal with for anyone we might encounter including family members and peers.
What does Relaxation really mean?
What does relaxation really mean?
We all have different times of relaxation: We stare blissfully at the television screen after a hard day’s work, a take a two week holiday once every year or we share a drink with our best friend once a week might all be ways of relaxing for a while, but how long does this happiness and relaxation really last? Real relaxation can only be a positive experience, when we are able to carry on the moments of happiness with us and use in times of extreme stress and work pressure. If the time we relax is too short and/or the relaxed feeling doesn’t stay with us then the relaxation period really didn’t do enough.
So what is Stress? To understand stress and its effects, we must go through the human physiological process, and begin with the primitive ages.
4
Back then it was a world fraught with danger, for humans, in every step they took. The hunter could soon be the hunted, yet the early humans had to venture out to look for food.
In these times the human body developed a handy and extremely efficient survival mechanism. The brain formed an emergency system, using a concoction of various minerals and chemicals in our body.
In response to the possibility that danger could arise quickly and at any time from animals faster and bigger than the humans, the brain would distribute the concoction of minerals across to all our muscles, through the nervous system. This concoction within the body would give a clearer vision, sharper hearing and greater anticipation and agility. In short, the humans would have all their senses on high alert in order to deal with the threat as best as they possibly could. We’ve all felt this rush of chemicals when in moments of danger like avoiding possible car accidents. During these times we act instantaneously with our hearts pounding. The sudden burst of energy leaves us breathless, sweaty and tingling all over.
In fact, our brain is so sharp that it never fails to release this extra energy even in simulated cases of danger or excitement. For example, sitting in a movie theatre our bodies often react in sync with the heart racing actions on screen. The theatrics force our brain to believe that the actions are of real and imminent danger to us.
5
And the trap therefore lies exactly here:
On one hand it is of course great that our body can react and ‘stress up’ ready for action. On the other hand it is also not so good that the body can never sustain periods of relaxation for longer periods of time.
Because the super-concoction takes a lot from our muscles and especially our nervous system we begin to ‘burn out’ or tire after moments of continuous stress. If we sustain the period of stress for a long time, our body refuses to take it and starts behaving adversely – our eyesight, hearing and sense of balance weaken.
Each individual organ that works extra during the periods of stress soon starts becoming weaker, demanding a break. Also extended periods of work forces our heart to pump blood continuously at a fast pace, affecting the heart rate and the blood pressure of the body.
Contained Stress
Stress on a basic level is a necessity for the human body. It was a necessity that was the source of energy for the cave man fleeing from a hungry tiger near the beginning of mankind and it continues to be necessary for us even today.
We need a reaction to adverse stimuli in order to lead our daily lives. Instead of the tigers and the lions hidden in the bushes, now we face the ever present deadline approaching as fast as an express train, rent/mortgage worries every month, or any number of other obligations we are forced to meet.
6
Our brain identifies all these problems and dangers, therefore releasing the super-concoction, readying us and stressing us up, geared to flee or act.
But what happens when the rent is actually not due for another two weeks? Or when the boss’ deadline is still five days away? The brain still faithfully releases the super-potion every time we are anxious or worried about these upcoming projects or difficult things to do.
During moments of anxiety our body is automatically put under stress. And if the anxious moments last long enough, our bodies cannot sustain the periods of stress successfully and positively.
These are the moments that our bodies get burned-out and begin to react negatively. During these times the key is to relax as much as possible because that helps take the anxiety away. And then hopefully the anxious feelings will stay away until the moment when we really need to be stressed.
Thank you for reading this first chapter. Want to check out the rest of the ebook? Go here: http://www.hotrelaxationtechniques.com/
7
Just Released! New Guide Reveals Step-By-Step How to…
Purge Your Body of High Cholesterol While Permanently Reducing Your Chances for Heart Disease, Liver Disease and More!
http://www.newhealthycholesterol.com/ This is the only guide of its kind that literally takes you by the hand and walks you, step-by-step through all things related to cholesterol management. Unlike most books, however:
"Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels" is written in plain, simple English. Any medical terms are clearly defined, so it’s easy to read and understand. "Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels" covers everything to do with cholesterol – not just the treatment. Because if you don’t understand the causes of high cholesterol, all you can do is put a “bandage” over the problem – not treat it completely. "Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels" covers all the common, and not-socommon “cholesterol remedies”, such as bee pollen, statins, cholesterol lowering diets, supplements and much more. You’ll find out what works, 8
what doesn’t, and how to take the fast track toward regaining control of your cholesterol levels.
http://www.newhealthycholesterol.com/
9
Relaxation and its importance.............................................................................2 Side Effects of Not Getting Enough Rest........................................................................ 3 What does Relaxation really mean? ......................................................................4 So what is Stress? ...........................................................................................................4 Contained Stress ..........................................................................................................6
2
Relaxation and its importance
In today’s world each of our lives seemingly gets busier with each passing day. Time for ourselves and time for relaxation is hard to find, thanks to work pressure, school work, family or other commitments.
But we all must remember that rest and relaxation is essential for us, and lack of either might lead to serious ailments and other negative side effects.
Side Effects of Not Getting Enough Rest On average each adult needs about 7-8 hours of sleep every night. This amount of sleep will rejuvenate the body and allow it to work properly. Adequate rest also equips the body to help fight infections and other illnesses better.
However, very few of us actually gets 7-8 hours of sleep. All of our busy lives force us to cut down on the hours that we sleep. We work more hours each day and therefore we get less sleep.
Less sleep leaves the body weak and vulnerable – open to attacks on the immune system. Thus, the more we work, the more open we become to infections and even diseases. It’s these illnesses that force people to miss days or even weeks of work.
3
Lack of proper sleep and relaxing also leads to several other problems like temporary amnesia, lack of concentration and slower thinking process. These symptoms tend to grow worse the fewer hours we sleep.
Inadequate night-time sleep and relaxation also significantly affects our moods. This has been proved by scientists all over the world. Less sleep makes us grumpy and impatient the following day, which makes us difficult to deal with for anyone we might encounter including family members and peers.
What does Relaxation really mean?
What does relaxation really mean?
We all have different times of relaxation: We stare blissfully at the television screen after a hard day’s work, a take a two week holiday once every year or we share a drink with our best friend once a week might all be ways of relaxing for a while, but how long does this happiness and relaxation really last? Real relaxation can only be a positive experience, when we are able to carry on the moments of happiness with us and use in times of extreme stress and work pressure. If the time we relax is too short and/or the relaxed feeling doesn’t stay with us then the relaxation period really didn’t do enough.
So what is Stress? To understand stress and its effects, we must go through the human physiological process, and begin with the primitive ages.
4
Back then it was a world fraught with danger, for humans, in every step they took. The hunter could soon be the hunted, yet the early humans had to venture out to look for food.
In these times the human body developed a handy and extremely efficient survival mechanism. The brain formed an emergency system, using a concoction of various minerals and chemicals in our body.
In response to the possibility that danger could arise quickly and at any time from animals faster and bigger than the humans, the brain would distribute the concoction of minerals across to all our muscles, through the nervous system. This concoction within the body would give a clearer vision, sharper hearing and greater anticipation and agility. In short, the humans would have all their senses on high alert in order to deal with the threat as best as they possibly could. We’ve all felt this rush of chemicals when in moments of danger like avoiding possible car accidents. During these times we act instantaneously with our hearts pounding. The sudden burst of energy leaves us breathless, sweaty and tingling all over.
In fact, our brain is so sharp that it never fails to release this extra energy even in simulated cases of danger or excitement. For example, sitting in a movie theatre our bodies often react in sync with the heart racing actions on screen. The theatrics force our brain to believe that the actions are of real and imminent danger to us.
5
And the trap therefore lies exactly here:
On one hand it is of course great that our body can react and ‘stress up’ ready for action. On the other hand it is also not so good that the body can never sustain periods of relaxation for longer periods of time.
Because the super-concoction takes a lot from our muscles and especially our nervous system we begin to ‘burn out’ or tire after moments of continuous stress. If we sustain the period of stress for a long time, our body refuses to take it and starts behaving adversely – our eyesight, hearing and sense of balance weaken.
Each individual organ that works extra during the periods of stress soon starts becoming weaker, demanding a break. Also extended periods of work forces our heart to pump blood continuously at a fast pace, affecting the heart rate and the blood pressure of the body.
Contained Stress
Stress on a basic level is a necessity for the human body. It was a necessity that was the source of energy for the cave man fleeing from a hungry tiger near the beginning of mankind and it continues to be necessary for us even today.
We need a reaction to adverse stimuli in order to lead our daily lives. Instead of the tigers and the lions hidden in the bushes, now we face the ever present deadline approaching as fast as an express train, rent/mortgage worries every month, or any number of other obligations we are forced to meet.
6
Our brain identifies all these problems and dangers, therefore releasing the super-concoction, readying us and stressing us up, geared to flee or act.
But what happens when the rent is actually not due for another two weeks? Or when the boss’ deadline is still five days away? The brain still faithfully releases the super-potion every time we are anxious or worried about these upcoming projects or difficult things to do.
During moments of anxiety our body is automatically put under stress. And if the anxious moments last long enough, our bodies cannot sustain the periods of stress successfully and positively.
These are the moments that our bodies get burned-out and begin to react negatively. During these times the key is to relax as much as possible because that helps take the anxiety away. And then hopefully the anxious feelings will stay away until the moment when we really need to be stressed.
Thank you for reading this first chapter. Want to check out the rest of the ebook? Go here: http://www.hotrelaxationtechniques.com/
7
Just Released! New Guide Reveals Step-By-Step How to…
Purge Your Body of High Cholesterol While Permanently Reducing Your Chances for Heart Disease, Liver Disease and More!
http://www.newhealthycholesterol.com/ This is the only guide of its kind that literally takes you by the hand and walks you, step-by-step through all things related to cholesterol management. Unlike most books, however:
"Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels" is written in plain, simple English. Any medical terms are clearly defined, so it’s easy to read and understand. "Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels" covers everything to do with cholesterol – not just the treatment. Because if you don’t understand the causes of high cholesterol, all you can do is put a “bandage” over the problem – not treat it completely. "Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels" covers all the common, and not-socommon “cholesterol remedies”, such as bee pollen, statins, cholesterol lowering diets, supplements and much more. You’ll find out what works, 8
what doesn’t, and how to take the fast track toward regaining control of your cholesterol levels.
http://www.newhealthycholesterol.com/
9
