Relax!!

Who hasn’t felt “stressed-out’” and longed for just a “moment’s peace” to just be able to put our feet up and relax?

Close your eyes for a moment.  Imagine a time when you felt completely stressed-out or uptight.  It doesn’t have to be a bad memory – even happy events (say your wedding day) can cause stress.  Now, stay there for just a bit – take a minute to remember how your body felt at the time.  Muscles tight?  Stomach queasy?   Temples pounding?  Heart racing?

Now bring to mind a time when you felt serene, relaxed, peaceful.  The memory doesn’t have to be anything particularly special.  Sitting on a park bench enjoying the sun on your face and the sound of children at play can be just as (even more) relaxing than a dream vacation.  Again, take a moment to note how your body feels when you are relaxed.

It is most likely more difficult to describe how your body feels when in a relaxed state than when stressed.  As a matter-of-fact, when we feel relaxed it is due the absence of feeling stressed.  Our muscles are no longer tight, our heart rate is normal.  In other words, in a relaxed state we do not experience the physical effects stress has on our bodies.