Relaxation comes from the word relax which is from Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxare ("relax, loosen, open"), from re- ("back") + laxare ("loosen"), from laxus ("loose, free").
The act of relaxing or the state of being relaxed is literally the opposite of stress or tension and the aim of most massage relaxation, relaxation techniques, and cd relaxation programs.
Massage relaxation from the French word masser ("to mass(age)") + -age means to create relaxation through massage. The action of rubbing, kneading or hitting someone's body, to help the person relax, prepare for muscular action (as in contact sports) or to relieve aches and pains. Having a massage can have many beneficial effects.
Relaxation techniques (or relaxation training) is any method, process, procedure, or activity that helps a person to relax; to attain a state of increased calmness; or otherwise reduce levels of anxiety, stress or tension. Relaxation techniques are often employed as one element of a wider stress management program and can decrease muscle tension, lower blood pressure, slow heart rates, breath rates, and brainwaves. These are just some of the health benefits involved in learning how to relax.
Relaxation and Practical Theory
Since the 1960s, research shows strong connection between chronic stress and physical, emotional, and mental health. Meditation was among the first relaxation techniques shown to have measurable effects on stress reduction. In the 1970s, self-help books teaching relaxation techniques began to appear on bestsellers lists. And in 1975, The Relaxation Response by Harvard Medical School professor Herbert Benson, MD and Miriam Z. Klipper credited with popularizing meditation in the United States.
Research released in the 1980s indicated even stronger ties between stress and health and showed tremedous benefits from a wide range of relaxation techniques than had been previously known or studied. This research received national media attention, including a New York Times article in 1986.
Conventional medical philosophy adopted the concept and its early Twenty-first Century practitioners recommend using relaxation techniques to improve patient outcomes in many situations. Relaxation techniques are now a mainstay of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Common problems of relaxation techniques use include:
- Anger management
- Anxiety attacks
- Cardiac health
- Depression
- General well-being
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Immune system support
- Insomnia
- Pain management
- Stress management
Relaxation Techniques
Various relaxation techniques can be used by people to improve their state of mind and to reduce stress. Some of the methods can be performed alone, and some require the help of another person, often a trained professional; some involve movement, while some focus on being still and quiet.
Certain relaxation techniques known as "formal and passive relaxation exercises" are generally performed while sitting or lying quietly, with minimal movement and involve silencing onself from the world. An example often displayed by Christ when leaving the crowds for quiet times of isolation.
Some of today's most common relaxation techniques include:
- Relaxation Audio (which include relaxation CDs, relaxation downloads, and relaxation MP3 audio programs)
- Hypnosis Relaxation
- Relaxation Meditation
- Stress Relaxation
- Muscle Relaxation
- Relaxation Spas
- Relaxation Therapy
- Guided Relaxation
- Relaxation Exercises
- Autogenic training
- Biofeedback
- Relaxation Breathing
- Visualization
Movement-based relaxation methods incorporate low impact exercise such as walking, gardening, yoga, Tai chi, Qigong, and more. Some forms of bodywork (alternative medicine) are helpful in promoting a state of increased relaxation. Examples include massage, acupuncture, the Feldenkrais method, Reflexology and self-regulation.
Some relaxation methods can also be used during other activities, for example, Autosuggestion and Prayer. At least one study has suggested that listening to certain types of music, can increase feelings associated with relaxation, such as peacefulness and a sense of ease. Some find humour to be helpful.
A few relaxation CD, relaxation download, and relaxation MP3 programs may now include sound frequencies that can help lead the body into deep relaxation through the use of "theta" sounds.