Relaxation is Important to Mental Health

There are as many different ways to relax as there are people in the world. Some people like to relax by using meditation techniques. A meditation technique is when you use a process (such as deep breathing, yoga, martial arts) to relax.

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that " Relaxation techniques are helpful tools for coping with stress and promoting long term health by slowing down the body and quieting the mind ." There are many different relaxation/meditation techniques that can used. Then within each technique or area there are different types. Some examples of relaxation/meditation techniques are:

-yoga (and there are different types of yoga; most involve emptying the mind)

-breathing; (which is also called breath watching)

-walking (when one's mind wanders one concentrates on the feelings in one's body while they are walking)

-mindfulness (concentrating on what is happening around you)

-transcendental (consists of chanting a mantra repeatedly)

-empty mind (concentrate on emptying the mind. Letting everything go)

-quiet mind (think peaceful thoughts if any at all)

-martial arts (often a combination of other styles)

Many doctors are recommending meditation as a way to control both stress levels and blood pressure as well as other things. Studies on meditations and stress relief have been done with doctors are recommending meditation not just as a way to control stress but as a way to help people discover better health.

Herbert Benson. MD (Mind/Body Medical Institute Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute (BHI)). studied and found there are great health benefits in learning how to relax. The term coined for that is called eliciting the relaxation response. Some of the health benefits we gain from practicing relaxation techniques are:

-Less Fatigue

-Lower Blood Pressure

-Slower Heart Rate


-Reduced Muscle Tension


-Better Quality of Sleep

-Breath Better

-Reduce Levels of cortisol and other stress hormones in one's bloodstream

-Immune System Works Better

There are times when one might try a meditation or relaxation technique that don't work well. When this happens don't give up. It could just be that one hasn't found a meditation that is a good fit for who they are and what they like to do. There are different types of different techniques. Experiment around if possible. The health benefits are proven and significant.

Many people feel that prayer is a form of meditation. Others don't feel that prayer is a good fit for them at all.

Others feel that walking meditation is a great way to meditate. Some people say all they can concentrate on is how much their bones hurt and therefore don't want to do a walking meditation at all.

It can also help to keep and maintain positive thoughts about life and what is happening rather than negative thoughts about life. When one's thoughts are tied up in negative thoughts, more stress will always seem to be happening, even when one's stress level is not high.

Things like hugs, snuggles and pets, contact with another being also can help people relax. Also things like music, soothing cups of tea or other hot drinks may also help one relax.

One good place to learn about the different ways and types of meditation is to go to the Free Meditation Technique Website. Here they talk about the different types of meditations and have many different samples of meditations that you can try.