When we are repeatedly provoked by these types of threats, the result can be disastrous to our well being. Prolonged stress without relief can produce physiological breakdowns which result in digestive disorders, cardiovascular disease, sexual and reproductive dysfunction, diminished immune responses and many other chronic, degenerative illnesses. The Relaxation Response is a natural restorative process and a powerful built- in healing mechanism. It can be achieved by using our mind to create a beneficial way for our body to respond. This can improve our general state of health and even reduce the need for medication.
Relaxation response is a mechanism to stabilize the body from a stress response.
Relaxation responses control the harmful aspects of the primitive unconscious stress response by neutralizing the negative effects . The relaxation response is an antidote to the stress response. When a relaxation response is elicited, nerve signals from the hypothalamus activate the parasympathetic nervous system which results in slowing down heart and breathing rates, blood pressure decreases, body metabolism is lowered and muscles relax. Basically, the whole body unwinds. The relaxation response puts the mind and body in a state of rest and tranquillity.