Understanding relaxation

Understanding relaxation

Sometimes the human body can go into the fight and flight responses. This is not unusual; it is the way the human body works. In normal circumstances these effects come and go, as we require them. They switch off without us even thinking about them because our brain and central nervous system does it for us.

More people are now suffering anxiety, depression and other stress related problems. That is down to the types of lives that we lead. Sometime we tend to mull things over like our worries, concerns, dislikes and a whole load of other things in our heads.

Because we do this we build up on our stress levels, and over a period of time some people find it hard to cope because of the physical and mental effects that are felt once the fight and flight responses are activated.

It becomes a problem when the person cannot control these effects, and if they continue over a period of time; they may be forced to go to their doctor for a solution to the problem. Most doctors will give the person an examination just to make sure it is nothing more serious.

If it is nothing more serious, a doctor will tell the person to learn to relax. The doctor has diagnosed it as anxiety, depression or another stress related problem. Most people walk out of the surgery and they do not go back because their mind has been put at ease. But for some people the stress will continue, and they might require a medication for a short period of time. This is best done through a doctor.

Anxiety, depression and other stress related problems can make people feel vulnerable and they might withdraw. Others might try and prove to themselves that they can get over the problems once they understand them. Most people who suffer these types of illnesses will go through them for a period of time until they become more relaxed. There is no given time for these types of illnesses. Although the sooner they can learn to relax the sooner the effects of the stress will go away.

They might feel all the effects that have been listed, or they might suffer only a few of them. Each person is an individual. Some will get over their stress quickly depending what is going on in their lives, and others may take a bit longer to get over their stress related problems. Most people will get over it given time.

Relaxation is essential for controlling these types of problems. The effects of the stress can be very uncomfortable and sometimes distressing for the person going through it. They may think there is no end to it. But there is. The more relaxed the person becomes, the less of the fight and flight feeling will be felt. So it is essential to control our way of thinking so that we can cope with what is a natural reaction of the human body.

Some people may think that their stress is coming and going. And again that is a way of thinking, but it is not unusual for the person who is stressed to go in and out of the fight and flight responses until they can control these feeling for good through relaxation.

The fight and flight responses are still essential so that we can function in the world that we live in. We have to assess what is dangerous to us and what is not. That is why we have these responses.

Someone who is very relaxed will be able to assess what is going on and they will be able to make rational decision’s that allow them to use the effects of relaxation to their advantage. They can go into the fight and flight responses and they can come out of it at will. This is because they have learned how to relax themselves.

Some people may feel more comfortable joining a group of other people so that they can learn how to relax. There are day centres and other groups of people who might do this once a week for those who are going through stress related problems. Others may do it at home where they feel more comfortable in their own surroundings. How it is achieved is up to the person going through the problem.

Relaxation and time is the cure for these types of illnesses. How quick the person starts to feel some benefits of the relaxation is up to them and how often they do it.

Understanding relaxation written by Andrew Murphy 6 April 2009

Going into the fight and flight response	The effects on the brain	The effects to the limbs
The effects on hands and feet	The effects on the sweat glands	The effects on the stomach
The effects on the bladder and bowel	The effects on the mouth and throat	The effect on the eyes
The effects on the lungs	The effects to Skin	The effects on the liver
The effects on the knees	The effects on your heart	Understanding relaxation

Back to 'Stress factor 1' and menu

Fight Flight or Fright	What is Anxiety	Will I get Anxiety or Depression
What are the Effects of Anxiety	Are Depression and Anxiety linked	What can I do about Anxiety
Is Medication the Answer	Will I be able to work again	Your brain and how it works
Are the feelings in my nerves normal	Relaxation and the road to cure	Learning how to cope with problems

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