Relaxation

Build Your Relaxation Response

Build Your Relaxation Response

Many of us push our minds and bodies to the limit, often at the expense of our physical and mental wellbeing. The response to our daily activities may include an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and an accelerated breathing rate. In this week’s blog we discover practices to effectively reduce stress.

Why is Self-Care Important for Students?

Why is Self-Care Important for Students?

When you are in high school or college, completing an undergrad program, or writing a dissertation in graduate school, the pressure is high to excel. Often the pressures of being a student lead to habits that are not in alignment with healthy living. Here is what can be done to elevate your self-care…

How do relaxation techniques reduce stress?

How do relaxation techniques reduce stress?

Many of us push our minds and bodies to the limit, often at the expense of our physical and mental well-being. Relaxation techniques are helpful tools for coping with stress and promoting long-term health. They slow the body down and quiet the mind. Here are a few of these techniques…

What feelings do you associate with relaxation?

What feelings do you associate with relaxation?

When you think about taking time for yourself, do you feel guilty? While many of us have learned that pushing ourselves beyond our limits damages our physical and mental health, work performance, relationships, and overall satisfaction with life, we still believe that we do NOT have time to relax and replenish. However, the good news is that we can develop the ability to lower our stress levels and improve our health without taking a lot of time out of our day. Here’s more…

Does a Busy Mind Keep You Awake at Night?

Does a Busy Mind Keep You Awake at Night?

Do you toss and turn at night? Do you churn things in your mind, robbing you of much-needed sleep? If so, you aren't alone. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night to reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes. Many fall short of this guideline. So, what can you do to improve your sleep?

Having Trouble Relaxing?

Having Trouble Relaxing?

If you are like me, every time I decide to do something just for me, I have a flash of all the things that I should be doing instead. Since my to-do list is quite long, I have to fight the urge to postpone that relaxing walk or leisure reading to get something done on my list. After all, I’ve seen the research on the importance of self-control and self-regulation in obtaining long-term goals. Yet, recent research shines a light on the importance of fun and relaxation, too. Let’s take a look…