Relaxation Rationale
Relaxation - What is it?
Relaxation is a state of mind and body that is the opposite of Stress. Because a person's mind and body cannot be both stressed and relaxed simultaneously, the states of Relaxation and Stress are incompatible, that is to say that they cannot occupy the mind and body at the same time.Therefore, a person's mind and body can either be relaxed or stressed. CONSEQUENTLY, THE EASIEST WAY TO REMOVE STRESS FROM ONE'S MIND AND BODY IS TO ESTABLISH A STATE OF RELAXATION.
How do we know this to be true?
If you want proof that two opposites cannot simultaneously inhabit the same body, test it out. First stand up and then sit down. Now try to stand up and sit down simultaneously. Or shout out your name at the top of your voice and then whisper your name. Next try to shout and whisper at precisely the same time. You could also try smiling then frowning, moving and standing still. Do each one of the opposites and then try to do them together. You cannot because it is impossible.
What are our major organs?
These will include the following:
Heart: To pump one's blood around one's body. Whereas a relaxed body will have a lower blood pressure level, the tense body will display a higher blood level pressure.
Lungs: To breathe in oxygen and expel carbon monoxide. There are different breathing patterns which produce opposite states of mind and body. A relaxed body will have a longer, deeper and more regular breathing pattern, whereas a tensed body will breathe shorter and be more erratic.
Muscles: To store energy and assist in movement of all limbs. Muscles have two states: being 'relaxed' or being 'tense.' They cannot be both simultaneously relaxed and tense A tense muscle will be a rigid muscle whereas a relaxed muscle will be more floppy.
The Brain: To help organize, manage and control electro/chemical impulses around the body in the most efficient manner, based upon present external stimuli and previous internalized stimuli. The brain gives out both relaxed brain-wave types and stressed brain-wave types.
Self-Talk: We all engage in self-talk all the time. We tell ourselves whether we are likely to enjoy or dislike some anticipated activity that we've experienced before and will shortly be experiencing again. Sometimes the mere sight of something or someone will lead us to express pleasure or displeasure. Things we fear often lead us to tell ourselves that the pending outcome is likely to be a failure and not a success. Some of us tell ourselves positive things while others engage in negative self-talk.
The one sure thing is that the nature of the self-talk one engages in will determine the probable nature of the feeling that follows and the likelihood of the eventual act. As individuals, the process of our behavior is to think, feel and do, in that order. Hence, the manner of our initial thought will both influence and govern the quality and nature of the feeling that follows and the doing (body action) which follows that. Please note that 'not to do' can also be a body action requiring an energy component.
Voluntary and Involuntary Types of Behavior:
There are two types of one's behavior which make up one's behavior pattern. Voluntary behavior is controlled by left-brain hemispheric functioning whereas Involuntary behavior is largely controlled by right-brain hemispheric functioning. The reason for this can best be explained by identifying one of the brain's prime functions, which is paradoxically 'not to think.'
Because the brain seeks to preserve energy and not waste it, along with keeping the body safe from harm, it establishes two forms of behavior, one which it allows to be displayed by choice, the other which it reproduces automatically whenever confronted by recognizable stimuli. Automatic responses beyond one's immediate volition include the responses of 'fight' and 'flight.'
Relaxation Training:
Relaxation technique is any method, activity, procedure or process that can help a person to gain a state of increased calmness, a reduced level of fear, anxiety and stress and also help to manage anger. Relaxation techniques are often employed as an element of a wider stress management program and can help one to become more appropriately assertive, a healthier and happier person who is more in balance with the world around and is more in tune with all manner of man and creature.
Particular health benefits include better sleeping, decreased muscle tension, lower blood pressure, a healthier set of lungs and heart, increased energy, easier breathing, a more positive and realistic attitude and less dependency upon some types of drug.
The Relaxation Program:
The Relaxation Program will focus upon the most important aspects of your behavior that concern the Mind and Body. These will include the heart, lungs, muscles, self-talk and brain.
You will be provided with:
Much of the program's input is derived from the work of William Forde, a Stress Management Consultant, Relaxation Trainer, and Group Worker for the past 50 years. William was also the founder of Anger Management Programs in Great Britain in 1971 which later mushroomed across the English speaking world. He introduced Relaxation Training into Probation Offices, Prisons, Hospitals and Educational establishments in the early 1970s and received the MBE from HM Queen Elizabeth during the early 90s for his work in West Yorkshire.
Click here for more information on Relaxation
Relaxation is a state of mind and body that is the opposite of Stress. Because a person's mind and body cannot be both stressed and relaxed simultaneously, the states of Relaxation and Stress are incompatible, that is to say that they cannot occupy the mind and body at the same time.Therefore, a person's mind and body can either be relaxed or stressed. CONSEQUENTLY, THE EASIEST WAY TO REMOVE STRESS FROM ONE'S MIND AND BODY IS TO ESTABLISH A STATE OF RELAXATION.
How do we know this to be true?
If you want proof that two opposites cannot simultaneously inhabit the same body, test it out. First stand up and then sit down. Now try to stand up and sit down simultaneously. Or shout out your name at the top of your voice and then whisper your name. Next try to shout and whisper at precisely the same time. You could also try smiling then frowning, moving and standing still. Do each one of the opposites and then try to do them together. You cannot because it is impossible.
What are our major organs?
These will include the following:
Heart: To pump one's blood around one's body. Whereas a relaxed body will have a lower blood pressure level, the tense body will display a higher blood level pressure.
Lungs: To breathe in oxygen and expel carbon monoxide. There are different breathing patterns which produce opposite states of mind and body. A relaxed body will have a longer, deeper and more regular breathing pattern, whereas a tensed body will breathe shorter and be more erratic.
Muscles: To store energy and assist in movement of all limbs. Muscles have two states: being 'relaxed' or being 'tense.' They cannot be both simultaneously relaxed and tense A tense muscle will be a rigid muscle whereas a relaxed muscle will be more floppy.
The Brain: To help organize, manage and control electro/chemical impulses around the body in the most efficient manner, based upon present external stimuli and previous internalized stimuli. The brain gives out both relaxed brain-wave types and stressed brain-wave types.
Self-Talk: We all engage in self-talk all the time. We tell ourselves whether we are likely to enjoy or dislike some anticipated activity that we've experienced before and will shortly be experiencing again. Sometimes the mere sight of something or someone will lead us to express pleasure or displeasure. Things we fear often lead us to tell ourselves that the pending outcome is likely to be a failure and not a success. Some of us tell ourselves positive things while others engage in negative self-talk.
The one sure thing is that the nature of the self-talk one engages in will determine the probable nature of the feeling that follows and the likelihood of the eventual act. As individuals, the process of our behavior is to think, feel and do, in that order. Hence, the manner of our initial thought will both influence and govern the quality and nature of the feeling that follows and the doing (body action) which follows that. Please note that 'not to do' can also be a body action requiring an energy component.
Voluntary and Involuntary Types of Behavior:
There are two types of one's behavior which make up one's behavior pattern. Voluntary behavior is controlled by left-brain hemispheric functioning whereas Involuntary behavior is largely controlled by right-brain hemispheric functioning. The reason for this can best be explained by identifying one of the brain's prime functions, which is paradoxically 'not to think.'
Because the brain seeks to preserve energy and not waste it, along with keeping the body safe from harm, it establishes two forms of behavior, one which it allows to be displayed by choice, the other which it reproduces automatically whenever confronted by recognizable stimuli. Automatic responses beyond one's immediate volition include the responses of 'fight' and 'flight.'
Relaxation Training:
Relaxation technique is any method, activity, procedure or process that can help a person to gain a state of increased calmness, a reduced level of fear, anxiety and stress and also help to manage anger. Relaxation techniques are often employed as an element of a wider stress management program and can help one to become more appropriately assertive, a healthier and happier person who is more in balance with the world around and is more in tune with all manner of man and creature.
Particular health benefits include better sleeping, decreased muscle tension, lower blood pressure, a healthier set of lungs and heart, increased energy, easier breathing, a more positive and realistic attitude and less dependency upon some types of drug.
The Relaxation Program:
The Relaxation Program will focus upon the most important aspects of your behavior that concern the Mind and Body. These will include the heart, lungs, muscles, self-talk and brain.
You will be provided with:
- Exercises designed to lower your blood pressure levels.
- Exercises to teach you how to breathe properly.
- Exercises to release muscle tension.
- Techniques to produce positive self-talk and how to use your brain to better advantage.
Much of the program's input is derived from the work of William Forde, a Stress Management Consultant, Relaxation Trainer, and Group Worker for the past 50 years. William was also the founder of Anger Management Programs in Great Britain in 1971 which later mushroomed across the English speaking world. He introduced Relaxation Training into Probation Offices, Prisons, Hospitals and Educational establishments in the early 1970s and received the MBE from HM Queen Elizabeth during the early 90s for his work in West Yorkshire.
Click here for more information on Relaxation