The Health Benefits From Relaxation Will Surprise You

If you truly want to get rid of some of the stress and anxiety in your life, you need to take time to relax. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon, Hooman Melamed, suggests there‘s a direct connection between anxiety disorders and many types of age-related medical conditions. The research suggests that relaxation slows down the aging process at a cellular level. Anxiety speeds up the aging process, and this cellular aging is completely irreversible once the anxiety dissipates or disappears. So, take the time to relax if you want to look and feel younger.

When the body is under stress, that “fight or flight” response automatically kicks into action. Relaxation counteracts this response and reduces the negative effects of stress on our physical, mental, and emotional capacities. According to Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School, relaxation can positively change our very genetic makeup.

The Benefits of Deep Relaxation

Getting into the “relaxation zone” is half the battle. But once you achieve a state of deep relaxation, the potential health benefits are quite remarkable. For instance, one study suggests that periods of deep relaxation can alter certain processes in the body at a molecular level that instigate tumor growth in women fighting breast cancer. The genes that promote cancer growth are downgraded while the genes that promote a healthy immunity system are bolstered.

• Relaxation and meditation can boost our immunity systems, helping us to fight everything from cancer to the common cold.
• Other research suggests that relaxation can lead to improved fertility in women having difficulty conceiving.
• Relaxation can be good for the heart. In one study, those who meditate once or twice per day for at least three months were found to have significantly lower blood pressure and a better ability to cope with their hypertension issues at the same time.
• Meditation and relaxation have shown to improve our mental health, too. Those who meditate on a daily basis are far less likely to suffer from chronic depression or other anxiety disorders.
• Relaxation can even help those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) by reducing the risks of bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

So, the next time that you feel gassy, depressed, or even just a little sluggish, take the time to meditate or relax. Relaxation is not the cure for every ailment, but it can help us to live a happier, healthier life when we include these regular periods of deep relaxation into our daily lives.