Relaxation
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, moments of relaxation are worth their weight in gold. But we all know that these moments of inner peace can be rare. So make a conscious decision to take this important time for yourself. How about yoga, meditation or breathing exercises? Exercise can also help you become more balanced and relaxed. Be open and find your own way to promote physical and mental serenity. It is a good idea to make relaxation an integral part of your daily life.
Content: 0.0261 Kilogramm (€877.39* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.146 Kilogramm (€150.00* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.0732 Kilogramm (€217.21* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.1722 Kilogramm (€92.33* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.037 Kilogramm (€348.65* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.055 Kilogramm (€325.45* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.124 Kilogramm (€71.77* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.0944 Kilogramm (€104.87* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.027 Kilogramm (€477.78* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.0732 Kilogramm (€408.47* / 1 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.219 Kilogramm (€319.02* / 1.014 Kilogramm)
Content: 0.0324 Kilogramm (€614.20* / 1 Kilogramm)
Why is it so important to relax?
The human body needs rest in order to function optimally. If we are constantly under stress and do not learn to take time for relaxation in our everyday lives, this can have a negative impact on our health and well-being and even lead to chronic pain.
Find out more about stress and methods of relaxation here!
How can I recognise stress?
There are various physical, emotional and behavioural signs that can indicate that you are under stress. However, everyone reacts differently and the symptoms can vary from person to person.
If you notice signs of this in yourself, it's important to learn to take a window of time for relaxation and self-care and seek professional help if necessary. Long-term, uncontrolled stress can have serious effects on wellbeing, so it's important to take stress symptoms seriously and deal with them appropriately.
Physical symptoms:
- Headaches or migraines
- tension in the neck, shoulders or back
- gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain, nausea or indigestion
- sleep disorders, including insomnia or restless sleep
- fatigue or exhaustion despite adequate rest
- trembling, sweating or palpitations
Emotional symptoms:
- irritability, irritability or impatience
- anxiety, worry or nervousness
- feeling overwhelmed or helpless
- sadness, mood swings or depressive moods
- low self-esteem or self-doubt
- feeling overwhelmed or emotional outbursts
Behavioural symptoms:
- Increased consumption of alcohol, nicotine or other drugs
- Changes in eating behaviour, such as overeating or loss of appetite
- Social withdrawal or isolation from friends and family
- Avoidance of responsibilities or tasks
- Diminished productivity or motivation
- Irritability or conflict in interpersonal relationships
What causes stress in our body?
It is a natural human reaction to a threat or challenge. When the organism is under stress, it triggers a series of physiological reactions aimed at preparing for an escape or fight situation:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure: Under stress, the heart pumps faster and blood pressure rises to transport more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs and enable a quick response.
- Release of stress hormones: The body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to increase the supply of energy, increase alertness and strengthen the response to the stressful situation.
- Changed breathing: Under high stress, many people breathe more shallowly and quickly, which can lead to an insufficient oxygen supply and in turn exerts additional stress on the cardiovascular system.
- Muscle tension: Pressure can lead to muscle tension and pain, especially in the neck, shoulders and back. Long-term muscle tension can lead to chronic pain and discomfort.
- Digestive problems: Under stress, the body diverts blood away from less important functions such as digestion, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation.
- Suppressed immune system: Long-term stress can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to infection and disease by impairing the production of immune cells.
- Mental health effects: High levels of stress can lead to anxiety, irritability, sleep disorders, depression and other mental health problems if prolonged.
Long-term stress can have serious effects on vitality and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders and other conditions [1,2].
Tip: We have summarised how the amino acid glycine can combat stress for you here.
Why is relaxation important for our health and what effect does it have on our organism?
To promote a healthy lifestyle and maintain a balance between the body and mind, it is essential to avoid constant stress:
- Stress reduction: Relaxation methods can help to reduce stressful situations that have accumulated during the day. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, depression and anxiety. Deep breathing, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress levels by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This leads to a reduction in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body.
- Improved mental state: Relaxation methods can help the mind to calm down and regenerate. This can help to reduce anxiety and depression and improve overall mental health.
- Physical well-being: High levels of tension can have a negative effect on the body by weakening the immune system and impairing digestion, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain, diarrhoea and constipation. Relaxation methods put the body in a state where it can better focus on digestion, resulting in improved gastrointestinal function.
- Reducing muscle tension: Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or yoga, can help to relieve muscle tension and improve flexibility. This can alleviate pain associated with muscle tension or tightness.
- Increasing productivity: By taking time to relax regularly, you can restore your energy and focus, which can ultimately increase productivity. A short break can help refresh your mind and boost creativity.
- Better quality of sleep: Relaxation methods can also help to prepare the body for sleep, as sufficient sleep is important for regeneration. Inner balance promotes a calm emotional world and a relaxed organism, which in turn improves the quality of sleep. Regular relaxation techniques before going to bed can therefore help to reduce sleep disorders and enable a restful night's sleep. We have compiled further tips for restful sleep for you here.
What relaxation methods are there?
There are a variety of different relaxation methods. It is often helpful to try out different ones to find out which one best suits your individual needs and preferences.- Progressive muscle relaxation (PME): This relaxation technique involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups one after the other to release physical tension and achieve deep relaxation.
- Autogenic training: This is a method of self-hypnosis in which you concentrate on certain formulas or ideas to regenerate your body and mind.
- Breathing techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and conscious breathing patterns can help to calm the body and mind. Techniques such as abdominal breathing, counting breaths or breathing exercises such as pranayama from yoga are popular.
- Meditation: Meditative techniques include sitting in silence or focussing on a specific thought, object or activity in order to relax the mental situation and achieve inner balance.
- Yoga: Yoga combines exercises, breathing techniques and meditation to relax the body and mind, improve flexibility and reduce stress.
- Tai chi: The Chinese martial art of tai chi combines gentle movements, breathing techniques and meditation to promote the flow of energy in the body and achieve balance.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness exercises such as conscious eating, walking or simple observation exercises help you to appreciate the moment, calm your mind and learn to reduce stress.
- Progressive relaxation: This relaxation method systematically relaxes every muscle group in the body in order to achieve deep organic and mental balance.
- Biofeedback: This technique uses electronic devices to measure physical functions such as heart rate or muscle tension and provide the individual with feedback to promote regeneration.
- Massages: Massages, hot water baths, saunas and other physical therapies can help to relieve muscle tension and restore the mind.
Regular use can help to reduce tension, promote health and improve general well-being. In addition, it is also worth having any vitamin deficiency examined.
What is the difference between relaxation and meditation?
These are two different approaches to promoting wellbeing, although they are often linked and may overlap in some aspects:
Aim:
Relaxation aims to calm the entire human organism, reduce stress and achieve deep organic and mental balance. The main goal is to free oneself from tension and to feel pleasant and calm.
The meditative mental exercise, on the other hand, can have different goals depending on the specific type. The goals may include achieving inner peace, expansion of consciousness, spiritual growth, emotional balance, self-reflection or reaching a higher state of consciousness.
Focus:
In relaxation, the focus is on letting go of tension and achieving a pleasant and relaxed state of calm. Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or breathing exercises can be used to calm the body and mind.
Meditation techniques, on the other hand, often involve focussing on a particular thought, object, breath or sensation. During meditation, one attempts to calm the mind and reach a deeper level of awareness by concentrating on or simply observing the chosen focus.
Activity vs. inactivity:
Relaxation can include both active and passive methods. Active relaxation techniques often involve physical movements or exercises to release tension. However, passive relaxation can also be achieved by simply lying in a comfortable position and letting go of tension.
Many people incorporate both relaxation techniques and meditative practices into their daily lives to reap the benefits of both approaches.
What is autogenic training?
Autogenic training is a relaxation technique that aims to relax the body and mind through autosuggestion. This method was developed by the German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz and is based on the principle of self-hypnosis [3].
In this method, certain suggestive messages are conveyed to the body and mind in order to achieve deep relaxation. These messages can relate to the feeling of heaviness, warmth and calmness in various parts of the anatomy. The basic idea is to calm the mind and put the body into a state of relaxation by focusing on and visualising specific sensations.Typically, an autogenic training session consists of a series of relaxation formulas relating to different parts of the body, such as "My right arm is heavy" or "My stomach is warm". By repeatedly visualising these formulas and concentrating on them, you promote deep relaxation throughout the entire body. Autogenic training can be practised in various positions, including lying or sitting, and requires regular practice to be effective. It is often used as a way to manage stress, improve sleep, relieve anxiety and promote overall well-being.
It is important to note that autogenic training is a method that requires some time regularity and practice to master. People who wish to learn this method can best do so under the guidance of a qualified trainer or therapist who can help them to apply the techniques correctly in everyday life.Why does yoga relax?
Yoga exercises are an often effective form of stress management and promotion of general well-being because they can harmonise body and mind and promote a sense of wholeness and harmony.
- Physical relaxation: During a yoga session, various physical exercises are performed with the aim of releasing tension and tightness in the muscles. By stretching and strengthening the muscles and improving flexibility, they can alleviate organic complaints and have a relaxing effect on the entire body.
- Breathing control: Conscious breathing is an essential part of this, helping to calm the mind and relax the body. By practising breathing techniques such as pranayama, the body's oxygen supply is improved, stress hormones are reduced and the mind becomes focussed and calm.
- Mental relaxation: Yoga techniques also include meditation and mindfulness practices that help to calm the mind and reduce emotional tension. By focussing on the present moment and letting go of distracting thoughts, they can promote deep inner peace and serenity.
- Stress reduction: Through the combination of organic exercises, breath control and meditation, yoga acts as a holistic method of stress management. It can help to balance the autonomic nervous system, lower cortisol levels and put the body in a state of relaxation and recovery.
- Improved sleep: Regular yoga practices can improve the quality of sleep by helping to calm the mind and relieve anatomical tension. The relaxation techniques of yoga can help to reduce sleep disturbances and promote a restful night's sleep, leaving you feeling re-energised.
Sources
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399918300473
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322464#Considerable-public-health-implications
[3] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogenes_Training