Dr. Rich’s 5 Rs #2: RELAX

Relax strategies to conquer your stress teach you how to switch on a relaxation response that puts your body into a relaxed state and cancels out the effects of stress. Because the relaxation response is the exact opposite of the stress response you can’t be stressed and relaxed at the same time.

When you put your body into a relaxed state on a regular basis you cancel out all of the unhealthy effects of stress (increased blood pressure, hormone release, muscle tension etc.). In a sense, this is like recharging your batteries when stress drains the energy from them. Relax strategies such as diaphragmatic breathing, breath meditation, and visualization are easy to learn and will slow down your runaway mind and relax your tense muscles.

Check out Dr. Rich’s new book, Conquer Your Stress by Learning to Relax!