RELAXATION IS NECESSARY Learning how to relax will enhance your quality of life by counteracting the negative effects of stress. By taking the time to relax properly, you are able to release accumulated mental and physical tension, thus restoring depleted energy levels. This leaves you feeling refreshed, revitalized, and better able to cope with the many pressures of modern living. Relaxation returns you to a sense of wholeness and well being. RELAXATION AFFECTS MIND &BODY A great many medical experts now acknowledge that body and mind are integrally linked, and that the state of one affects the well-being of the other. Stress lowers the resistance of the body's immune system, whereas a relaxed mind helps strengthen your defense system against disease. In a similar way, when you feel physically relaxed, you will be.   THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM The autonomic nervous system governs your involuntary responses to stress factors, while enabling your physiological system to return to a state of relaxation once the stressful event has passed. It is divided into two parts, the sympathetic nerves and the parasympathetic nerves, both of which supply most of the major organs of the body. The sympathetic nervous system initiates dramatic physical changes in your body through its "fight or flight" response to stressful stimuli. The parasympathetic nerves help redress these changes, enabling the body to discharge tension and restoring equilibrium to the whole system. SYMPATHETIC Emotions such as anger and fear initiate the sympathetic nerve responses. PARASYMPATHETIC The parasympathetic system realigns the body processes. Rest and sleep aid it. BODY AWARENESS Learn to recognize areas of physical tension so you can start to relax them. Stand up, close your eyes, and focus your attention on each body part. Ask yourself: Is this area contracted or relaxed? Is it balanced or under strain? Is your knee flexible? Do your feet feel secure and rooted to the ground? MIND AWARENESS Knowing and understanding your strengths and weaknesses will equip you with the awareness to change your life in positive ways. Even if you feel confident and relaxed about most aspects of your life, be honest with yourself about those areas where you feel stressed. Take time to appraise your feelings regularly.   ARE YOU ABLE TO RELAX? The following eight questions may help you to pinpoint those areas of your life where you are experiencing stress. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, then unlocking the tension in any one area will bring a multitude of benefits for your whole life. 1.DOES YOUR BODY FEEL TENSE? General discomfort and pain in the body are often the result of both physical and mental stress, caused by harmful postural habits or inhibited emotions, such as fear or anger. Breathing exercises, postural awareness, and massage therapy release tension from both body and mind. 2.Do You FIND IT HARD To HAVE FUN? Do you have difficulty relaxing and enjoying yourself? Taking up a sociable sport encourage you to enjoy the company, of others. Physical activity releases tension. 3.ARE You Too BUSY To EAT HEALTHILY? A basic rule of health is to eat regular, nutritious meals. However, it is usually the first rule to be abandoned when you most need it - during periods of stress. Resolve to stick to a healthy diet - no matter how busy you are - to keep your blood-sugar and energy levels steady. 4.Do You TAKE ON Too MUCH WORK? Don't allow your work to dominate your life. Spend quality time with your family and friends, and develop a healthy balance between work and leisure. 5.Do You SUFFER FROM PANIC ATTACKS? Chronic anxiety and panic attacks are very debilitating. Look for t, underlying causes of stress in your life and seek to remedy them. Learn breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety. 6. Do You LACK DRIVE AND MOTIVATION? Inertia often has its origins in a medical condition such as depression: in this case, seek your doctor's advice. However, it may be linked to dissatisfaction about certain circumstances in your life. Identify what is draining your energy, and take steps to make changes where appropriate. 7.Do You FIND IT HARD TO RELATE TO OTHERS? Build your confidence by nurturing relationships that make you feel good about yourself. Be sure to communicate your needs clearly. 8. ARE YOUR THOUGHTS MOSTLY NEGATIVE? Do you feel envious of others? Do you think that life is passing you by? Do you always imagine the worst? If so, you need to change the subconscious thoughts that negatively govern your life. Affirmations, positive thinking, and visualizations can help you rethink your attitudes.