 The ability to relax is important in effectively treating and managing stress and anxiety and a host of other physical health issues. When you feel stressed, your body reacts by triggering the "fight or flight" response, what we usually call”stress.” When this happens, the body immediately prepares them for either running or doing battle. When this happens, the anatomy, physiology and chemical make up of the body changes often significantly. When the individual’s life is threatened this is a wonderful mechanism to help to protect them. However, wen their life is not threatened, it can gradually, especially if chronic stress, anxiety, depression or other emotional issues exit lead to the breakdown of the body and eventually to illness.
When the stress mechanism is triggered our muscles become tense, our heart and respiration rates increase, and other physiological systems become taxed. Without the ability to relax, chronic stress or anxiety can lead to burnout, anger, irritability, depression, medical problems, and more.
Allowing yourself to deeply relax is the exact opposite of the "fight or flight" response. Herbert Benson (1975) described what he referred to as the "relaxation response." This is the body's ability to experience a decrease in heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and oxygen consumption.
How Relaxation Exercises Can Help
There are many benefits to being able to induce the "relaxation response" in your own body. Some benefits include a reduction of generalized anxiety, prevention of cumulative stress, increased energy, improved concentration, reduction of some physical problems, and increased self-confidence. Using relaxation exercise can along with meditation, also help lower blood pressure and reduce tension and stress and allow a healthier more productive life.
Relaxation exercises can be a powerful weapon against stress. The following are some important facts about stress:
- 43% of adults experienced adverse health effects from stress
- 70-80% of visits to a physician's office are for stress-related conditions and complaints
- Stress has been linked to the 6 leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has declared stress a hazard of the workplace
- In the workplace, stress may be related to lost hours due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and worker's compensation benefits. This costs the American industry more than $300 billion annually.
For our pdf document: Relaxation and Breathing Exercises For Stress Reduction and Healing, click here.
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Articles - Prevention and Wellness 
