Activity Relaxing

We need to relax more, not just as individuals but as whole societies and cultures. Times have changed.

Biologically we need to go slow sometimes, to zone out and relax.

Culturally life demands we be constantly focused and active.

If not properly managed, these cultural pressures can wreak huge damage on our health and efficiency.

Of course, better technology brings all kinds of advantages, but while it clearly can reduce some pressures we encounter in life, it can also create new, unanticipated, pressures. Cars are wonderful in some ways, but trying to rush to work while stuck in a traffic jam is not such a good thing.

Since the invention of the clock we have been busy breaking our lives down into time segments. A wonderfully useful thing to do, which has enabled human beings to achieve what would once have been impossible feats. But if we allow the clock to drive us, we become nothing more than tools of the clock itself – nothing more than 'slaves to the machine'.

Time related stress and ultradian rhythms

Time related stress is very common; the feeling that you are playing catch-up all the time; that there just aren't enough hours in the day. Being driven by an external mechanical clock means we pay less attention to our own highly evolved yet intricate and subtle internal biological clocks.

For example, every 90 minutes or so, it's natural for the dominance in brain function to switch from left hemisphere to right hemisphere focus.

This happens so we can update new information, housekeep the body and recoup lost energy and focus. We experience this as a 'zoning out' or just 'switching off' for a few minutes (actually it should be about twenty).

This is not a sign of weakness to be fought, but a vital part of recouping lost energy and re-focusing. The so-called 'power nap' improves focus and productivity precisely because it allows for nature's natural cycles.

These shifts are known as 'ultradian rhythms'. These rhythms flow and ebb within us and if we don't heed them and relax every ninety minutes or so, then stress hormones kick in.

Effects of not heeding nature's imperative to relax

Of course, you can't always stop what you are doing every hour and a half. However, if you continually and constantly ignore nature's imperative to take time out, you will eventually find yourself suffering:

• increased uncontrolled emotionality (with all the damage that can do to your work life and relationships)
• loss of productivity
• increased likelihood of stress-induced physical illness.

More time pressures, steadily rising volumes of email, constant voicemails and text messages, more competiveness at every level - no wonder so many people find it hard to wind down.

Millions use TV, music, alcohol or drugs to change their mood in a desperate attempt to relax. The trouble is, these 'attempted solutions' to the problem of overwhelming stress tend, in the long term, to cause extra stresses themselves.

   10. Your children mirror your behavior.

9. By raising your cortisol levels, chronic stress can cause weight gain especially around the midsection.

 8. With less oxygen going to the brain when under stress, your

     Short-term memory may be affected.                                 

7. Chronic stress can raise your blood pressure.

       6. Stress lowers your immune system causing you to be more

           prone to attracting illness.

       5. People are naturally drawn to relaxed and

           confident people.

       4. Bringing your mind into a deeply relaxed state will help you

           have better clarity and focus.

       3. Relaxing your mind will enhance your creativity.

       2. Relaxing your mind will allow you to process the   

           information it already has stored to arrive at successful

           solutions!

                                   

1.    It just plain feels good !!

Why should you learn and practice active relaxation techniques?

•  People who get less than a full night's sleep feel stressed, angry, sad, and mentally exhausted. You don't want that. So listen to a guided meditation CD at bedtime for a restful sleep that brings you tranquility, happiness, and mental alertness. Listen to Sleep Soundly Now. You will  be amazed at how  fast you can drift into a  deep slumber.
• Your personal relationships suffer when you're tired and stressed Are you too tired to go out? to see a movie? to visit friends? to cook dinner? to make whoopee? Just how many times have you used "I'm too tired" as an excuse? Take a ten minute rejuvenation break, practice breathing exercises or listen to a guided meditation. Feel your energy soar!! The Gift of Peace is theat 10 minute break you  have been looking for.
• Weight gain may be partly due to the reduced time you sleep That's according to new research from the University of Bristol. That means if you're struggling with weight, learning to relax could very well be your solution.
• Increased likelihood of death You are 250% more likely to die when you're not relaxed and sleeping well, according to a Finnish study of 10,000 people. Obviously drowsiness causes accidents (100,000 a year in America alone). But did you know that your immune system suffers dramatically after just 24 hours of sleeplessness! How long will it take before leading to serious health problems?
  
  
  Sources http://www.relaxforsuccess.com/