Six Health Benefits of Relaxation
Mar 7th, 2013
Stress can drive us to get things moving forward. However, too much of it can also cause many problems. Proper relaxation is one of the remedies we can take to let off some steam. Here are some scientifically proven health benefits of relaxation to remember the next time you tune out and switch off from the world.
Six of the top health benefits of relaxation
Increased immunity
Deep relaxation seems to improve immunity of recovering cancer patients. Researchers from Ohio State University found that practicing progressive muscular relaxation every day reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Another study from the same university has linked relaxation exercises to increased natural killer cells in the elderly, helping them fight viruses and tumors.
Increased fertility
Women have better chances of getting pregnant when they are relaxed, according to a study by the University of Western Australia. Turkish scientists have also found that stress reduces sperm count and mobility, suggesting that relaxation improves male fertility.
Relieves irritable bowel syndrome
Relaxation reduces the symptoms of bloating, diarrhea, and constipation among patients who suffer from irritable syndrome. Researchers at the State University of New York have recommended practicing relaxation meditation twice daily as an effective treatment.
Lowers blood pressure
Meditation helps lower blood pressure by reducing the effect of stress hormones on the body, a study at the Harvard Medical School has found. A study published in the British Medical Journal has found that patients who practice relaxation techniques have significantly lower blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory
Stress can cause inflammation which can lead to several diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, or even cancer. Relaxation can prevent and treat these diseases by reducing stress response.
Calmness
Relaxation can help people who have busy and active minds calm their thoughts. There are various techniques which can help you get to the root cause of an over active mind. With constant practice, you can control your thought processes and help your mind become more at ease.