Relaxation is the art of resting. Learning how to truly relax brings a different quality into your life: calmness, ease, lightness and the sense of 'everything is so well'.
I used to think that relaxation is when I lay down on the couch and watch my fav series, I read a good book or I listen to music. These are undoubtedly nourishing activities and you can enjoy doing them, but not even close to what relaxation can truly bring into your life.
We all have habitual ways that we hold tension. Practicing systematic muscle relaxation helps us let go of the stress you accumulate in our daily life, release mental tension, supports and deepens your spiritual practice and invites ease into your body and mind. Learning to truly relax - what is called systematic relaxation in yoga - is a powerful self-help tool.
Relaxation is systematically guiding your attention through the body while keeping your mind focused. It's profound rest for the body and nervous system. Rest is a skill meaning that it can be learned, and improved experiencing more peace, calmness and tranquility.
Photo: Unsplash
Benefits of practicing systematic relaxation:
Normalizes blood pressure and heart rate
Normalize blood pressure and heart rate
Improves digestion
Creates mental calmness
Brings a sense of lightness and a feeling of being at ease
Calms the nervous system and promotes the "Rest and digest" mode
SYMPATEHTIC NERVOUS SYSTEM | PARASYMPATEHTIC NERVOUS SYSTEM |
"Fight or flight" | "Rest and digest" |
Body's response to dangerous / stressful situations | Body enters a state of relaxation |
Increased alertness and heart rate | Slows your heart and breathing rates |
Raises blood pressure | Lowers blood pressure |
Quickens breathing | Promotes health and digestion |
Increases sweating | Helps recovery |
How to practice relaxation?
Prepare your body and mind to transition into a relaxed state. If you want to jump into relaxation after an intense activity or at the end of a hurried day, you might feel that if it has the opposite effect: you become restless, nervous, or frustrated. It can happen because you try to switch the mode of a nervous system radically. Pace yourself and if you can, do some gentle movement, yoga postures or stretch your body for 3-5 min before the practice.
When to practice relaxation?
When you:
arrive home after a hectic day and
you feel stressed and overwhelmed.
wake up during the night, and your mind starts running and you can’t fall asleep again.
need a complete mental recharge.
your body holds tension and you feel stiff.
feel restless, having negative thought patterns.
you want to calm yourself down before going to bed.
anytime! ;)
Practice and all is coming
Let go of your expectations and trust the power of the practice. It'll be with you whenever you need it. ;)
Happy resting!
Zsanett Czifrus is a coach and transformation guide. She is on a mission to help daring women live fulfilling and balanced lives and thrive in their businesses. She is also a certified yoga, meditation and relaxation teacher taught in the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. She supports individuals and organizations virtually and in Munich, Germany.
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