Inner Health Studio Relaxation Tips, Issue #004 -- What is Relaxation?

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Inner Health Studio Relaxation Tips, Issue #004 -- What is Relaxation?
February 01, 2009

Hello,

I'm Candi, with Inner Health Studio.

Welcome to edition 4 of Inner Health Studio Relaxation Tips.

Have you ever wondered what "relaxation" actually is, or how it works? Would you like to develop an awareness of your own stress response and relaxation preferences? If so, you will enjoy the new series, "Learn to Relax" on the Ask Inner Health Studio Podcast.

This month's relaxation Q&A relates to Episode 1 of the Learn to Relax series. The question: What is relaxation?

Thanks for subscribing to Relaxation by Inner Health Studio newsletter!

Sincerely,

Candi

In this issue...

1. Inner Health Studio updates and news

2. Relaxation and Coping Q&A: What is Relaxation?

3. New relaxation script: Sleep Countdown

4. Relaxation and coping tip of the month: Using music for relaxation.

5. Quick links

1. Inner Health Studio Updates and News

Podcast Update

Ask Inner Health Studio podcast is increasing in frequency. Instead of monthly, this podcast will now be published every two weeks.

In this podcast, I'll be starting a series about relaxation, called Learn to Relax, beginning with "What is Relaxation?" and continuing through some basic strategies for how to relax and how to measure your own body's responses to stressors and to relaxation techniques.

Go to InnerHealthStudio.com/learn for more details or to subscribe to this podcast. Please continue to send your questions to Ask Inner Health Studio - common questions about relaxation and coping will be a big part of this relaxation series.

Members Only Area

Visit our "members only" area of innerhealthstudio.com. As a subscriber to this newsletter, you are a member! Go to:

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/membersonly

To access the members page, use this password: relaxation

Last month, Beginner's Breathing Meditation became available - this free audio download and relaxation script are still posted in the members only area.

New this month: Sleep Countdown audio download and script.

2. Relaxation and Coping Q&A: What is Relaxation?

Relaxation is the act of relaxing the mind and body, and can also be defined as the state of being relaxed.

During a relaxation exercise (such as progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, or another relaxation technique) muscle tension decreases, blood pressure goes down, the mind becomes calm, and the harmful effects of prolonged stress are counteracted.

The "relaxation response" is the opposite of the stress response - blood pressure decreases, oxygen consumption is decreased...

3. New Relaxation Script: Sleep Countdown

This sleep countdown is a guided relaxation script that will help you fall asleep. Focusing the mind allows you to decrease the thoughts that can interfere with falling asleep, and teach you how to allow thoughts to pass rather than dwelling on them and remaining alert.

Find a comfortable sleeping position. You can change positions if needed, but try not to move around very much.

Take a deep breath in, pause… and breathe out.

Wherever your body is tense, focus on relaxing the muscles.

Feel your shoulders relax and sink into the bed.

Allow your jaw to drop slightly.

Read more at:

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/countdown

*This script is in the members only area, so remember to enter the password: relaxation

4. Relaxation and Coping Tip of the Month: Using Music for Relaxation

Using music for relaxation

Using music for relaxation is different than playing background music or listening to music for entertainment. It is possible to play relaxing music for a background, but when using music specifically for a relaxation exercise, decide how much time you would like to devote to relaxation at that moment.

It is possible to use music alone for relaxation, or combine music with a relaxation script. Some people prefer to...

5. Quick Links

If you see something here you would like to share with a friend, please feel free to forward this email. If you have received this email as a forward from a friend and would like to receive this newsletter each month, subscribe at:

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/subscribe

Inner Health Studio Relaxation Advice and Podcast archives:

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/adviceandarchives

Ask Inner Health Studio Podcast

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/askIHS

Ask Inner Health Studio - Advice Form

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/adviceform

Relaxation by Inner Health Studio Podcast

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/relaxationpodcast

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