Real, deep relaxation is probably something many of us rarely experience. It is a state in which tension is absent from the muscles, and where the mind is at ease, free from worry and negative self-talk. It is, therefore, both a physical and a psychological state.
The physical effects of stress are well documented. One of the main effects of stress in an increase in blood pressure, which can contribute to the development of heart disease and hence increase the risk if associated acute conditions such as stroke.
Being properly relaxed has tangible and clear health benefits – people with so-called ‘type B’ personalities tend to have a lower incidence of heart disease. Being more relaxed will also allow you to concentrate better, give you greater immunity to disease, help you to be more efficient and effective, and reduce pain.
Relaxing is not very difficult – it is a natural and normal state, and all you really need to relax properly is the right state of mind. A quiet place, a comfortable chair and no mental stimulation will help, but it is quite possible to be relaxed in any situation if you are thinking in the right way and, for me, this means keeping things in perspective.
Sometimes, things happen in our lives which suddenly give us a greater level of perspective, but consciously and deliberately using a simple technique of ‘zooming out’ and seeing things from a bird’s eye view might help to reduce your stress levels.
The things we tend to worry or get stressed about are almost always fairly trivial. Try to remember what you were worried about a few months, or even a few years ago. Can you recall? If you can, do those things matter now? Now, see yourself in the future. Do the things you are worrying about now matter to your future self? By not identifying so strongly with the details of your situation, things will become easier. In other words, you need to care less about what is currently happening in your life.
Imagine ‘zooming out’ from your current life situation – you are an outside observer, looking on at the details of your life and, as you get further and further away, the details become less clear. Instead of being lost in the maze, you can see, from your bird’s eye vantage point, the whole maze and how to get out. You can now see the wood instead of just the trees.
Try sitting quietly for a few moments and ‘zooming out.’ With a little practice, you will be able to do this anywhere, even in situations which you normally find very stressful and difficult to deal with. It can make a huge difference to your life.
Mark Harrison writes at effortlessabundance.com. Check out his latest book, Thirty Days to Change Your Life.
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