Relaxation technique

Relaxation techniques are used by people who wish to relax, for a wide variety of reasons. Since the 1960's, research has indicated strong correlations between stress levels and physical and emotional health. Meditation was among the first relaxation techniques shown to have a measurable effect on stress reduction. In the 1970's, self-help books teaching relaxation techniques began to appear on bestsellers lists. [1] In 1975, The Relaxation Response by Harvard Medical School professor Herbert Benson, MD and Miriam Z. Klipper was published. Their book has been credited with popularizing meditation in the United States. [2]

Research released in the 1980's indicated stronger ties between stress and health and showed benefits from a wider range of relaxation techniques than had been previously known. This research received national media attention, including a New York Times article in 1986. [3] Public awareness about the health benefits of relaxation techniques grew, and so did the numbers of people who practiced them. Conventional medical philosophy adopted the concept and its early Twenty-first Century practitioners recommend using relaxation techniques to improve patient outcomes in many situations. Relaxation techniques are also a mainstay of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Six out of ten of the most commonly used CAM therapies are relaxation techniques.

Used for

People use relaxation techniques for the following reasons, among others:

• Anger management
• Anxiety attacks
• Cardiac health
• Depression
• General well-being
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Immune system support
• Insomnia
• Pain management
• Stress management

Techniques

Some techniques include:

• Biofeedback
• Deep breathing
• Exercise
• Homeopathy
• Humor
• Listening to music
• Massage
• Meditation
• Prayer
• Reflexology
• Self-hypnosis
• Visualization
• Yoga

See also

• Stress management
• Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Autogenic training

External links

• Mind Body Medical Institute
• Can stress kill?
• Yoga for Mind Development
• Quick and Long-Term Relaxation Techniques
• Relaxation Techniques for Relief of Anxiety and Stress
• Relaxation Breathing Meditation

References

• 1970s Bestsellers URL accessed on May 23, 2006.
• eBay synopsis of The Relaxation Response - shown under "More information" URL accessed on May 23, 2006.
• Relaxation: surprising benefits detected by Daniel Goleman, The New York Times, May 13, 1986, retrieved May 23, 2006.