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We all know that relaxation techniques are "The in thing" - wheter it bei meditation, yoga, TCM, or whatever. But how important is relaxation? And what exactly will it do for you? The answers may surprise you...
A number of studies have shown that using relaxation techniques regularly can:
- Decrease the likelihood of heart attack and stroke, and can significantly reduce the incidence of a second heart attack
- Protects you from mental problems
- Improves your immune system
- Improves memory and learning
- Aids in your coping skills and makes you feel better!
If there's one truth about the way we live today, it is that our stress levels are higher than they were a hundred years ago. A lot higher. And that isnot because life is 'harder', but because of the type of stressors we have to cope with.
Today, so much of what we rely on is in the hands of other people, like job security (our employer), food for our family (our employer), our security (the police) and so on. Added to a decrease in the feeling of community and extended family support and you have a great recipe for stress.
With increased stress and the accompanying decrease in relaxation time, comes raised levels of stress hormones within your body - hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Blood pressure rises. Your brain behaves differently affecting memory and healing. Stress hormones are tremendously useful in the short-term - say if you are attacked, but they are toxic in the long-term. They suppress your immune system function and interfere with sleep quality.
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