A WONDERFUL ANXIETY REDUCTION TECHNIQUE I FIND HELPFUL
The Relaxation Response
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of the United states population). Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and a tool that I have found helpful for my patients who experience anxiety is the Relaxation Response.
One of my first meditation teachers was Herbert Benson, MD at Harvard University. He is presently Director Emeritus of the Benson-Henry Mind-Body Institute of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. I would like to share with you this exercise which Dr. Benson researched and developed in the 1970’s. It allows us to rely on our incredible internal mind body resources rather than external fixes for self healing. The Relaxation Response exercise described below and in his classic bestselling book, The Relaxation Response, counteracts the fight or flight response and calms the mind and body.
What is particularly important in the eliciting of the Relation Response that Benson found fascinating is that studies have shown that when patients elicit this response in ways that are meaningful to them it creates a very powerful association with their belief system. In this breathing meditation, the instructions are to mentally say a word that is meaningful to you in your particular belief system. This is seen as a powerful dynamic in bringing about change through the use of this exercise.
Although for some people it is better to use a word or sound that has no meaning like the word “one”, I find in my practice that some clients are more apt to use this meditation technique if they use words that are personally impactful to them. Some of my clients like using words from their faith tradition. Others find words like Serenity, Peace, Calm, and Love, to be very soothing. Some people feel that the energy or vibrations of certain words are more powerful to them. Whereas others find they prefer words with no meaning or association in order to avoid stimulation of unnecessary thoughts.
Relaxation Response Technique:
Please click on : Steps to Elicit the Relaxation Response to view Benson’s guide to practicing The Relaxation Response.
For a free 15 minute phone consultation to learn more about these Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief, or to schedule an appointment I invite you to contact me at 314-644-3339
Learn More :
What is Mindfulness Therapy?
Workshop: Breathe Your Way to Better Health
Integrating Spirituality with Psychology
www.claytontherapy.com