We all know that exercise plays a major role in our overall health, but we don’t always have time to hit the gym. Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can benefit your mind and body at home. With simple techniques like meditation and yoga on 건마 (dry horse), you can get exercise benefits without sweating. Therapeutic relaxation is one of these techniques; it helps decrease stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions while also boosting happiness and a positive outlook on life. Here is why therapeutic relaxation is the key to a healthier, happier you.
How Does Therapeutic Relaxation Help You?
When you experience stress, it negatively impacts your health in several ways. It can increase your blood pressure, make your digestive system work less efficiently, and even cause muscle damage. Stress can also impact your mental health, causing you to feel anxious and unhappy. Luckily, therapeutic relaxation can help. When you practice therapeutic relaxation, you are training your body to respond to stress in a better way. When you are stressed, your body will enter “fight or flight” mode, which is helpful in some situations but not when you are just feeling stressed. When you practice therapeutic relaxation, you retrain your body to respond to stress more relaxedly. This can help you feel less stressed, less anxious, and more in control in general.
How To Practice Therapeutic Relaxation
There are many ways to practice therapeutic relaxation, so you can find one that works for you. While you can do these techniques in any order, you may find that one works better for you than the others.
- Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is one of the most common forms of therapeutic relaxation. To practice this method, take long, deep breaths from your abdomen so it expands as you breathe in. When you exhale, make the sound of “hhh” to expel all of the air from your lungs. Continue this pattern for several minutes.
- Guided Relaxation
Another effective type of therapeutic relaxation is guided relaxation. During this exercise, you will listen to an audio recording that helps you become more relaxed. There are many guided relaxation audio recordings online. You can also create your own recording if you prefer.
- Meditation
Another effective form of therapeutic relaxation is meditation. Meditation helps you focus on your breathing and clear your mind, so you can achieve a state of relaxation. There are many types of meditation; you can choose one that best fits your needs.
Why Is A Healthy Mind Important?
If you don’t care for your mental health, you may be more likely to experience many physical health issues.
- You May Be More Likely To Get Sick: When your immune system is weakened, you are more likely to get sick. This can impact your productivity and your relationships, as well as your overall happiness.
- You May Be More Likely To Get Injured: Stress and anxiety can cause you to tense your muscles, increasing your risk of injury and making injuries heal slower.
- You May Be More Likely To Become Depressed: Depression can lead to many health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke.
- You May Be More Likely To Experience Anxiety: Anxiety and stress can be a vicious cycle. Anxiety often causes you to feel stressed, which can worsen your anxiety. This can affect your daily life and your mental health.
Conclusion
While exercise will always be an important part of your health, you can also benefit your mind and body with a therapeutic relaxation. Regular practice can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mental health, and enhance your overall happiness. There are many ways to practice therapeutic relaxation, which can be a helpful addition to any lifestyle.
