Stress from the day to day life can often times accumulate over the years. This stress can be caused from simple things like a traffic jam to an unbalance workload, family or financial problems or even as a result of illnesses. All of those factors triggers a "stress response" in the body leaving us distressed and unsettled.

In attempts to combat this default reaction of stress in these sort of situations, a "Relaxation response" technique has been announced by cardiologist Dr Herbert Benson from Harvard Medical School on his article https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/stress-management-approaches-for-preventing-and-reducing-stress.

He suggests six relaxation techniques that have been proven to help the human body to reduce anxiety and experience relaxation.

1. Fantastic scenery. Visualising peaceful locations or scenery will help to increase calmness. For many of us a breath of fresh air and connecting to nature may mean having to travel far distances. However, through the media we have today, relaxation music and relaxing visuals is only one click away. The Deep relaxation MC YouTube channel uploads relaxation videos that can take your mind away from the stresses of life with peaceful visual imagery and music that triggers relaxation in the body. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr4JHkD9eJ8GHvOJ8E9_KPw

2. Breathing focus. Take a deep breath two or three times before you begin this relaxation process. Then, focus on the air flowing to your body starting from your nose, flowing into your abdominal, fill in your lung and flowing out. Feel the sensation and keep the visual imagery that brings you joy and keep that image in your mind. Maybe its a tropical beach or a tranquil rain forest. This will help you to center your mind on the present moment and to release the tension within your mind and body.

3. Body check. This technique can be used in conjunction with breathing focus. After a few minutes using the breathing focus technique, try to notice the areas of your body that is tense. As you continue to breath in and out, let go of this tension as you follow the movement of your breath. Notice the sensations you feel in that area. Maybe the wind blowing on your skin into relaxation or the soft touch of your clothing touching your skin. Feel that sensation and use your full senses to be present in the moment.

4. Yoga, tai chi and qigong. There is an ancient practice for breathing and meditation that is combined with some slow but controlled movements. Although this technique requires professional training, once mastered it will provide many benefits to the mind and body. It increases the ability to focus, good balance and flexibility to enhance stability.

5. Repetitive prayer. For those who are spiritual, prayer can often be a therapeutic, meditative and can be found as a comforting practise. Simple prayers or phrases can be used during mediation and during time of relaxation.

6. Alertness meditation. To practice this method, you must be in a comfortable position. Either sit, walk slowly or stand. Focus your mind on the present moment instead of the past or future. Our minds can be easily be dragged a spiral of thoughts stuck in the past or future worries, and plans. In reminding your mind to draw focus on the present time and time again, the body will naturally train itself to stay focused on relaxation over time. Practise makes perfect. We can visualise ourselves experiencing the sense of feeling hope, trust and sense of surrender or love.

In the practice of this "relaxation response," you can choose which technique works well for you and keep practising the technique that regularly at least 20 minutes a day. You will feel the benefit of this practice increasingly expanding over time.