Bob Martel
Updated: March 22, 2021
Senior Planning Guide
Learning to relax is a life skill
By Bob Martel
My mother was never one to relax much throughout her life, but what busy mother makes time for herself? It was to the point of her always having to be doing something, even if that was simply pacing, fidgeting or tending to a never-ending task list. In her final days of her battle with cancer, she did embrace relaxation as a tool to lessen her pain and suffering.
The truth is we can all enjoy the health benefits of deep relaxation. Relaxing should be a way of life!
Relaxing does not mean sitting on the couch watching METV, cable news, or your favorite streaming service. We all need a small bit of that kind of down time. Relaxation is the state of being free from tension and anxiety, or being in a calm, mindful and recreative state. Relaxing hypnotically, for the our purposes here, does equal meditation, although it all seems one and the same. Relaxation does not mean sitting still in a chair. One can achieve deep relaxation during normal everyday activities, or while walking, fishing, shopping, reading, writing, hot air ballooning or any other activity bringing you joy.
In a state of deep relaxation the body enjoys certain benefits and the mind becomes uncluttered; able to focus with greater clarity. Greater clarity leads to better decisions which leads to great happiness, with less stress and anxiety.
If there is one common denominator, one human behavioral pattern revealing itself in the client work I’ve done over the years, it’s the inability or the refusal to learn how to relax the mind and body. Relaxation is viewed by most as a luxury, or dismissed as a waste of time. Many people were simply never really taught how to relax deeply, thus never having experienced the benefits of this wonderful mind-body experience.
Relaxation is something everyone can enjoy. Did you know, like so many other mind states, relaxation is a choice? It is a great example of the mind and body more working together. When you set your intention to relax physically, mentally, and emotionally, and with a few diaphragmatic (full belly) breaths, your body begins to gradually lengthen the inactive muscle fibers, allowing physical relaxation to begin, and your brain releases hormones to help you relax.
Better relax with these steps:
• Give yourself permission. Take control of your mind-state and treat your immune system to a little love.
• Tension is the enemy. You can easily release muscle tension using progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
• Learn how to breathe to stimulate what Dr. Herbert Benson calls The Relaxation Response. Keep it simple: nice comfortable, diaphragmatic breath in through the nose, hold it briefly, exhale through your mouth and go to that ‘happy place’ in your mind.
• Live a relaxed, confident and purposeful life. Get off the sidelines. When you connect with your higher purpose, you share your gifts with the world. God wants all of us to be more joyful, abundant and prosperous and no matter our circumstance we can choose to act in a way that enables more of this.
• Live that new relaxed you with a zest for life, by changing bad habits that are really false relaxation gimmicks. Focus on what needs to change in your life: thoughts, emotions, behaviors, or self-limiting beliefs.
• Smile more. A great mind-body exercise: Your brain senses the muscle position of your smile and releases chemicals making you feel happy.
Relaxing can save your life. When you master the skill of relaxation your body will enjoy a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increased blood flow. You sleep better, awaken refreshed, and anxiety, depression and negativity leaves you.
When you master the skill of relaxation your body will enjoy a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure and increased blood flow.
Bob Martel is a professional hypnotist, and a ‘take back your life’ coach working with individuals and business people to take themselves higher in life. Reach him at www.positiveresultshypnosis or via email at bob@bobmartel.com
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