Hello Everyone,
Well, I have always been a skeptic when it comes to relaxation exercises. I tend to think of them, as my mother always called them, "Hippie Voodoo". I have tried several of techniques throughout the years but have always found them to be too time consuming. I do not have the time to relax, I am too busy being uptight and stressed ;-).
But, seriously, when reflecting on this one, I have to admit. It relaxed me. Just a few minutes into the exercise, I fell asleep. You can't get much more relaxed than that. So, after my little power nap, I started it over and listened to the exercise and I was able to follow the rather soothing voice as it guided me into a state of relaxation and an attempt to control my autonomic nervous system and shunt blood to my arms. The technique did not work for me because at this stage of the game, I am not relaxed enough nor do I have the mental control needed to shunt blood from one place to the other. Perhaps as I progress through the exercises in this course I will begin to master this task.
As relaxation techniques go, I do not think this one is practical enough use as a relaxation technique unless you are some place safe like your home or another safe, private place. I would not begin to take off my watch, kick off my shoes and begin to make myself comfortable enough to use the exercise in, say, my doctors office, work or the grocery store all of which are places where I am the most stressed and need to practice relaxation exercises.
But if rating it for it's overall relaxation potential, I would give it an 7 out of 10, just for the music and the intonation and pitch of the voice. It did after all, make me fall asleep.
Thoughts anyone ????
Rufus J.
I would say I have very similar feelings toward relaxation exercises (mainly meditation) as your mother. I always viewed it as what she described as “hippie voodoo.” I would not say that it does not work however. I do believe in its effectiveness. While I was listening to the relaxation exercise, I fell asleep as well. But, I think it had more to do with boredom (haha). I found listening to an audio and actually doing the movements he was instructing kind of odd from another person’s perspective. I’ve not tried any other relaxation or meditation methods before other than massage therapy.
ReplyDeleteI guess like anything else, We have to have a vested interest in it and believe that is could possibly work. I know I have a tendency to only believe in the tangible things I can touch and while I have a healthy imagination in regards to Spiritual and Magical things I have never felt or believed I had the potential to touch or manipulate the energies necessary to control the unseen potential in my life. I guess this class and learning to relax and be healthier will be a process and not an event.
DeleteThanks,
Rufus J.
Hello Rufus,
ReplyDeleteI would say that this technique worked for you if you fell asleep. :) I did like how the voice and music was very soothing. I relaxation exercise just doesn't work if someone is screaming in your ear. I used to be skeptical on things like this until I began to try them out for myself. I read a few books and began to open my mind to the possibilities that these exercises may work for me. So, I gave them a shot with an open mind, and they've really worked well for me. My favorite relaxation technique so far is a breathing one that maybe we will be lucky to experience in this class. I found out about it in my stress management class and it's done wonders for me. This should be an interesting journey in this class. Wonder what we'll experience next week?
Rufus you made me laugh. Your very funny. I did start to feel like I was nodding off but I just don't have time for that. Like you said, just too busy. I was indeed at home so I took off my watch but was bothered at the request to take it off in the first place. I kept trying to imagine what the man looked like with the microphone pressed up against his mouth and watching him read a script off white paper. I just could not relax. I prefer a good book or laying on the beach instead. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteRufus,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you came in a skeptic and went out a believer. Falling asleep is indeed the best part and the most rewarding part of relaxation techniques. I would agree that these methods are time consuming, but the idea of them is to slow down and focus on you for a hot minute. There are many people in this country on the same boat, who often feel they simply are always on the go and they don't have a minute to stop and "do a relaxation exercise." My response to that is, "If you care about your health and your wellbeing, then make the time." I hope throughout this course or even after, that you find a technique that will work for you. Even if it's only a minute here or minute there while walking through the isles at the grocery store, as long as you take the time for yourself. Great post.
Narelle :)