How to Relax


	The Relaxation Response — begins with a slow — deep — breath . . . \| Stress Response \| Fight or Flight Response \| Relaxation Response \| \| A Comparison Chart \| Heart Rate \| Blood Pressure \| Metabolism \| \| Muscular Tension \| Rate of Breathing \| Description of Chart \| When was the LAST TIME you let yourself RELAX?
	The Stress Response is often referred to as the "Fight or Flight Response," and is responsible for energizing the body to survive in times of severe physical need such as life and death situations. However, in our modern society most of us are experiencing 50 or more stress responses per day for things that are not even remotely life threatening—while living in bodies that are designed to handle 3 or 4 such experiences per week. With no built-in or automatic physical outlet for the stress response in our lives, this potentially life saving response itself becomes threatening to our lives. This is why we need to learn the Relaxation Response.
	The Relaxation Response is just the opposite of the Stress Response and tends to reverse the negative impact of stress in our minds and bodies. And here is something to consider: Stress is not optional—it will come to us every day—stress is a condition of the living. But stress management is optional—it must be chosen by each individual or it cannot happen. Learning to reverse the negative impact of stress on our minds, bodies, immune system functioning, emotions, diseases, is more under our control than has previously been thought. Learning to elicit the Relaxation Response is one of the key components in reversing the negative impact of stress.	"Stress flows into our lives automatically. Stress Management is optional and only happens if you choose . . . " Dr. Gary L. Flegal
	Here is a comparison to show the differences of how your body responds under the Stress Response (Fight or Flight) and during the Relaxation Response.

Stress Response	Physiological Response	Relaxation Response
Stress Heart Rate Increases	Heart Rate	Relaxation Heart Rate Decreases
Stress Blood Pressure Increases	Blood Pressure	Relaxation Blood Pressure Decreases
Stress Metabolism Increases	Metabolism	Relaxation Metabolism Decreases
Stress Tension Increases Tension Increases	Muscular Tension	Relaxation Tension Decreases
Stress Breathing Speeds Up	Breathing Rate	Relaxation Breathing Slows Down
This chart demonstrates how stress increases the body's physiological reactions, while true relaxation actually slows the body's physiology. Out of all these physical changes, notice that breathing is the one physical response that is most easily brought under your conscious control. Take a moment to realize what a blessing this is and how fortunate that you can choose to control and slow your breathing. This will cause a cascade effect that will slow all of the other areas under stress in your body as well (a gift from the Good Designer).

When was the LAST TIME you let yourself RELAX?
[ Dr. Flegal's Practice ] [ For Managers ] [ > Anger Management < ] [ > Fibromyalgia < ] [ Seminars & Workshops ] [ - Seminar Fees - ] [ Stop Stinkin' Thinking ] [ Smoking Cessation ] [ Insomnia Program ] [ > Restorative Yoga < ] [ Chronic Pain ] [ Dr Flegal's Credentials ] [ How to Relax ] [ -Endorsements- ] [ - Former Clients - ] [ About Dr. Gary Flegal ] [ Resources 4 You ] [ Music for Relaxation ] [ Reading List ] [ Anti-Stress Kit ] [ Computer Stretches ] [ Workstation Design ] [ Publications ]