Relaxation
People desperately pursue
relaxation and the release from stress: illicit drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sex,
television. There are a vast number of escapes, all predicated on the belief
that life is too hard and that it demands relief. We think of relaxation as a
way out, a retreat from the pain and pressures of our lives.
True relaxation embraces life, does not declare "time out" from it.
(Wolfe Lowenthal)
Relaxation
Relaxation is a condition of ease that arises from feeling comfortable.
You may do many things in order to relax:
Sit
Walk
Read a book
Talk with friends
Spend time with your family
Gardening
Cooking
Eat a nice meal
Watch TV
Socialise
What is relaxing for one person may not
be relaxing for another.
It is important to discover ways in which to relax.
You may even choose to do absolutely nothing...
Rest & relaxation
Rest is not the same as relaxation.
Whilst relaxation can take many forms, rest is more straightforward.
When you stop doing altogether, you rest.
An example of rest is sleep.
Mind & body
Relaxing both mind and body will improve your health and make you feel
better.
Your quality of life will change.
It can be hard for busy people to relax, so you must be patient.
The commitment you make towards being relaxed will prove itself worthwhile when
you start to feel fresh and energised.
Tai chi aims to make you feel rested, relaxed and energised.
Nervous system
Relaxing will have an effect upon your nervous system.
The nervous system is spread throughout your entire body and affects the
internal balance.
Calming the nervous system changes how you move - you will feel less jerky and
more fluid.
There are two ways in which we can work on the nervous system:
Calming the mind
Slowing the body
The body can be slowed by practicing tai chi every day and the mind can be calmed by reading books that encourage healthy thoughts, by watching nature and by meditating.
Page created 24 June 1994