Mindful Yoga Awareness Meditation for Complete Relaxation – Video

Relaxation for many of us means zoning out in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day. But this does little to reduce the damaging effects of stress. To effectively combat stress, we need to activate the body’s natural relaxation response.
You can do this by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga. Fitting these activities into your life can help reduce everyday stress and boost your energy and mood.
Try our Mindful Yoga Awareness Meditation Video for Complete Relaxation to truly take time for yourself; day or night.
 

The relaxation response: Bringing your nervous system back into balance

When stress overwhelms your nervous system your body is flooded with chemicals that prepare you for “fight or flight.” While the stress response can be lifesaving in emergency situations where you need to act quickly, it wears your body down when constantly activated by the stresses of everyday life.
No one can avoid all stress, but you can counteract it by learning how to produce the relaxation response, a state of deep rest that is the polar opposite of the stress response. The relaxation response puts the brakes on stress and brings your body and mind back into a state of equilibrium.

When the relaxation response is activated:

• Your heart rate decreases
• Breathing becomes slower and deeper
• Blood pressure drops or stabilises
• Your muscles relax
• Your body begins to heal

In addition to its calming physical effects, the relaxation response also increases energy and focus, combats illness, relieves aches and pains, heightens problem-solving abilities, and boosts motivation and productivity. Best of all, anyone can reap these benefits with regular practice.