Learning to RELAX

Discovering a new way of self-soothing – be it with an activity or natural medication – can swiftly reduce stress levels. So what will suit you best?

- DEBRA WATERS

Relaxation is an essential addition to our wellbeing toolkit, but it’s not always easy to accomplish, especially in challenging circumstances such as those we’ve all been experiencing. But learning to do it right could give your health a much-needed boost.

‘Relaxation is vital to our health and wellbeing, as well as our immune function,’ says natural health and wellness expert Dr Tim Bond. ‘Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that in people practising relaxation methods, such as yoga and meditation, far more “disease-fighting genes” were active, compared to those who didn’t practise. In particular, they found genes were switched on thathelp to protect from disorders such as pain, infertility, high blood pressure and even rheumatoid arthritis.’

And that’s not all. The art of relaxation also drives higher levels of feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin and growth hormones, which repair cells and tissue. ‘In essence, relaxation has virtually the opposite effect to stress, lowering heart rate, boosting immunity and enabling the body to thrive,’ says Dr Bond. ‘An example is when women menstruate, they often find taking a long bath or doing some gentle relaxation exercises helps their general wellbeing.’