New 'Deep Relaxation and Meditation' at the Timbers

A new exercise series is starting - Deep Relaxation and Meditation. The next session takes place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Timbers of Shorewood retirement community, 1100 N. River Road. Facilitated by Lynn McLaughlin, the series continues the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. It is free and open to the public.

‘We will work on breathing with soft, calming music,” said McLaughlin. “I am excited that the sessions are in the evening, because I can help the participants get to a very relaxed state.”

Stress is necessary for life. Stress is only harmful when it becomes overwhelming and interrupts the healthy state of equilibrium that the nervous system needs to remain in balance.

Unfortunately, overwhelming stress has become an increasingly common characteristic of contemporary life. When stressors throw the nervous system out of balance, relaxation techniques can bring it back into a balanced state by producing the relaxation response, a state of deep calmness that is the polar opposite of the stress response.

When stress overwhelms, the nervous system is flooded with chemicals that prepare for “fight or flight.” While the stress response can be lifesaving in an emergency situations, it wears the body down when constantly activated by the stresses of everyday life. The relaxation response puts the brakes on this heightened state of readiness and brings the body and mind back into a state of equilibrium.

Meditation is the practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth. It is used for relief from anxiety and insomnia . Meditation leads to a deep sense of peacefulness.

“I love it when the session is over, and everyone is happy and smiling,” McLaughlin said. “This work is so rewarding. It touches the participants and it touches me.”

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Residents, whose needs may change, are able to stay in the same place and receive appropriate care.

The public is warmly welcome to join at no cost. For more information call Linda McCluskey at 815-609-0669 or visit: http://www.timbersofshorewood.com.