Relaxation For A Healthy Lifestyle

Relaxation is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.   The hectic pace of  life can make us  lose touch with the art of calming down.  Those who recognize the need to take breaks become less reactive to stressful events.  By making concentrated efforts to relax, we can actually produce more energy.  Here are some reasons why relaxation is an important part of a healthy lifestyle:

Relaxation lowers your risk of catching a cold. According to Sheldon Cohen, Ph.D., a Psychology Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, chronic stress more than doubles a person’s risk of catching a cold. Stress hinders the body’s ability to fight inflammation. Immune cells become insensitive to cortisol’s regulatory effect.

Relaxation keeps you safe from depression. Chronic stress can kill brain cells and even prevent the creation of new ones.  The prolonged presence of the stress hormone cortisol can reduce levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are linked to depression.  Focused relaxation methods can help.  These methods include listening to music, taking long walks, and participating in meditation or yoga.

Relaxation eases skin conditions.   How we feel on the inside can affect how we look on the outside.  Skin, hair and nail conditions often flare up when the body is under stress.  In addition to an accurate diagnosis from a dermatologist, conditions can clear up with the help of stress-management techniques.

Relaxation techniques don’t always revolve around doing nothing or being lazy.  It may be something you actually need to schedule into your routine.  Set specific times of the day to consciously relax, and if necessary, put it in your calendar.  Relaxation is a necessary part of life, and a key component of a healthy lifestyle.

What stress-management techniques work best for you?  Please share your suggestions in the comments section below.