Relaxation Response

Relaxation response is the combination of physical and emotional reactions that allow us to feel a sense of well-being and physical wellness.

Our instinctive reactions to stress were relied on for Primal human survival. Physiological stress responses enhance the ability to run (flight), fight or freeze into hyper alert stillness. They also prompt us when defenceless to cry out to get help from others. However these instincts are largely at odds with our now relatively safe but hectic modern society. From birth, we gradually learn from parents, peers and our life experiences how and when to override the natural instincts of crying, fleeing, freezing or fighting. However, life deals out different stresses and we don’t all get the education that we need, often leaving us ill-prepared to cope with everyday situations in the modern world.

Because of their link to survival, stress responses are powerful physical and emotional events designed not to be ignored. We suppress them at our peril! Chronic unresolved stress can impact dramatically on our health and well-being.

Relaxation training allows us to learn and put into practice skills that allow conscious reversal of stress response – the relaxation response. Physiologically this includes muscular relaxation, slowed heartbeat and breathing, reduced oxygen consumption, normalised gastrointestinal activity, production of alpha brainwaves, improved immune response and increased skin resistance. Mentally, relaxation response allows improved concentration and memory, reduction in fear, depression and anxiety. It will also facilitate effective integration of social and emotional strategies to improve coping. Relaxation can be used as a reactive skill when we are feeling the ill effects of stress or ideally as a proactive skill to manage stress before it affects our well-being.