RELAXATION

When I was in college a health counsellor was teaching students how to relax, which was something we all needed. The stress of studying, taking exams, dealing with dorm life, and finding time for sports and entertainment became pretty stressful.

Her advice was to concentrate on relaxing your body one muscle at a time from feet to head. It took a several hours of practicing this method to make it effective, but once it was developed it worked very, very well.

I still use this technique when I need to relax. It also helps when I have a cramp in my leg. I focus on relaxing the muscle that hurts and in a few minutes the pain is gone.

It is a pleasant feeling to be completely relaxed. Of course it’s much easier now that I’m retired. There are not as many stressors in life, but still conscious relaxation is a joy. It is also very healthy, as described in the following article from Brown University Health.

THE RESULTS OF RELAXATION

“With regular practice, you can experience reduced muscle tension and an increased sense of calmness. Research has shown that regular use of the relaxation response may help reduce the symptoms of health problems that are caused or worsened by chronic stress, such as gastrointestinal ailments, insomnia, hypertension, heart disease, anxiety, depression, headache, and chronic pain. Learning relaxation may also make it easier to lose weight, quit smoking, and cut down on alcohol or substance use. Many people who regularly practice relaxation strategies report experiencing increases in optimism, self-confidence, energy, productivity, assertiveness, and reduced stress.”

Relaxation is also much easier when one has peace with God through faith in Christ. One of the most relaxing and peaceful scriptures is the 23^rd Psalm, which describes the relaxation that God provides.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV) “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…”