Is Rest and Relaxation a Waste of Time? Hardly!

by Julie Lusk, M.Ed., NCC, RYT

Relaxing regularly and deeply is the perfect remedy for your stress management toolbox. The World Health Organization predicts that stress-related disorders and psychological disorders will be the second leading cause of disabilities in the world by 2020. The good news is that we can each take action to prevent and/or cope with stress. It’s time to take stress seriously and learn to do things that really release stress and result in reducing muscular tension, regulating blood pressure and even relieving pain.

Is rest and relaxation a waste of time? Hardly!

Archimedes had his “eureka” moment in the bath tub.

Albert Einstein was asked how he discovered the atom. He said, “I didn’t discover it. I meditated and it revealed itself.”

Einstein also said, “Play is the best research. ” “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Guided Relaxation exercises are valuable tools for your stress management toolbox. The secret to gaining relaxed energy is to clear away the mental ruckus and emotional debris to make room for clear thinking. One of the easiest ways of doing this is through relaxing the muscular tension held in the body by tensing and releasing muscle groups throughout your body using a reliable technique known as progressive muscular relaxation.

Doing so not only releases physical tension, it also teaches you the felt difference between tension and relaxation. By knowing this, you can catch physical tension early on and before it causes painful headaches, back problems and digestive trouble. A calming effect for the body, mind, emotions and spirit is awakened as well.

Guided relaxation exercises will:

Improve immunity
Lower Stress
Feel more refreshed; especially when you need it most
Cellular rejuvenation and repair
Better sleep
More energy
Greater mental clarity while reducing worry
Increase creativity
Enhance problem-solving and intuition
Extra stamina and endurance
More productivity
Relieve pain
Improve your outlook
Better overall health
And more!

Excerpt from Power Napper: Relaxation and Meditation, an eBook by Julie Lusk, M.Ed.

Resources
Achterberg, Dossey, Kolkmeier, Rituals of Healing: Using Imagery for Health and Wellness. New York, NY. Bantam Books

Chodron, Thubten, Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path. Ithaca, NY. Snow Lion Pub., 2007

Durgananda, Swami (Sally Kempton)., The Heart of Meditation: Pathways to a Deeper Experience. S. Fallsburg, NY. SYDA

Keating, Thomas., Open Mind, Open Heart. New York, NY: Continuum Publishing Co. 1986, 1982.

Lusk, Julie, Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening; 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Vols. One and Two. 1992-2005. Whole Person Associates

Lusk, Julie, Power Napper: Guided Relaxation and Mini-Meditations, 2009. Wholesome Resources Publishers.

Lusk, Julie, Power of Presence CD, Wholesome Energizers CD, Wholesome Relaxation CD, Refreshing Journeys CD. 2003-2006. CardplusCD, Cincinnati, OH

Naparstek, Belleruth. Staying Well with Guided Imagery. New York, NY: Warner Books, 1994. HealthJourneys.com

Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Yoga Nidra. Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India. 1998

About the author:

Julie Lusk, M.Ed., NCC. is an internationally published author, recording artist and talented speaker. Julie has over 30 years of expertise in stress management, wellness, yoga, and guided imagery. Her publications include Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices; Stress Solutions Now; Power of Presence CD

Web: http://WholesomeResources.com, Wholesome Resources, 5678 Willnean Dr., Milford, OH, 45150
Telephone: (513)576-6662.

Check out Julie’s SelfhelpMagazine Blog on stress management, yoga and meditation at http://selfhelpmagazine.com/blogs/stress-management/

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