Relaxation Techniques Part I

 What is the mind-body connection?  What is stress?  Why is the mind-body connection important to our health?  What are mind-body practices?  How do they relate to relaxation and stress management?

 Combine breathing and focused attention to calm the mind and body  Requires very little instruction  Can be practiced any where  Most effective when practiced regularly  Combine breathing and focused attention to calm the mind and body  Requires very little instruction  Can be practiced any where  Most effective when practiced regularly

 Changes the way your body functions physically  Creates a relaxation Response  Induces sleep  Increases a sense of well being  Decreases blood pressure  May counteract long term effects of stress  May reduce pain  Changes the way your body functions physically  Creates a relaxation Response  Induces sleep  Increases a sense of well being  Decreases blood pressure  May counteract long term effects of stress  May reduce pain

 Biofeedback  Diaphragmatic breathing  Mental Imagery  Visualization  Self hypnosis  Meditation  Tai Chi  Yoga  Biofeedback  Diaphragmatic breathing  Mental Imagery  Visualization  Self hypnosis  Meditation  Tai Chi  Yoga

 Consciously produces the relaxation response  Relaxation response slows HR  Decreases Oxygen Consumption  Lowers stress hormone levels  Counteracts negative effects of Stress

 Anxiety  Asthma  Depression  Fibromyalgia  Headache  Heat disease  High BP  Insomnia  Pain  IBS

 No formal credential or license to teach or practice  Effective in treating stress  May help with many other heath conditions  Generally safe  Not meant to postpone visit to health care provider  Meant to compliment scientifically proven treatments  Tell your health care provider about any complimentary treatments you use.