by Linda-Ann Stewart

As I was guiding a client into self-hypnosis using a relaxation technique, I noticed her shoulders becoming more and more tense. I suggested “It’s safe to relax,” and her shoulders dropped. She successfully went into self-hypnosis and we continued with her session. At the conclusion, she opened her eyes and said, “I couldn’t relax until you told me it was safe to do so.”

Are You Afraid to Relax?

I’ve heard this same thing from numerous clients. Many people have a fear of letting go and relaxing for a variety of reasons. Some of them have come from dysfunctional homes, and have learned to be hypervigilant in order to survive. Others have been through a long period of crises that have emotionally hit them over and over, until they, too, are hypervigilant. People with either of these issues often fear that something awful will happen if they let down their guard.

Sometimes anxieties or fears will begin to surface as a person starts the relaxation process. These are feelings that they’ve been able to keep suppressed and are now rising to the surface because their conscious control of them has loosened. Or a person could simply become apprehensive because relaxing is so unfamiliar that they feel uncomfortable doing it.

Tension Depletes You

Stress, tension or a sense of pressure signals the brain to keep the mind and body on alert, prepared for physical danger. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, or the next crisis, damages the body in subtle ways. The medical profession believes that stress causes or worsens  over 90% of illnesses. It’s like water dripping through a hole in a glass. Eventually, the glass will empty completely. Stress and tension actually wear away body systems, until they are depleted.

Being able to relax is essential to a person’s well-being, both physical and emotional. Relaxation allows the body to heal in a natural fashion, like replenishing the water in the glass. The body then has a reservoir of energy to draw from and preserve health.

Relaxation Replenishes You

Relaxation is the way we tell the brain that we’re safe, that all is well. For those who’ve existed in a dangerous environment, feeling safe is a new concept. I remind them that if there’s going to be a crisis, it’s going to happen whether they’re tense or relaxed. Relaxation not only gives the mind a feeling of safety, it provides it with more resources, reserves, and resiliency to handle the challenges of life.

Where a small setback, like being late to work, might have been all that was needed for a mental meltdown, the more relaxed person can keep the situation in perspective. Creativity and problem solving are also enhanced, as is mental flexibility. A person can be more productive and efficient, because their mental resources aren’t diverted to keeping them alert for a danger which may no longer exist. 

Relearn to Relax

In our fast-paced world, we have a habit of  being tense. Although relaxation is a natural process, it needs to be relearned. I tell my clients that they’re entering a period of training. They’re re-educating their bodies and minds to let go of tension and return to their natural state of relaxation. As they practice, they feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically. They quickly find that the rewards of relearning to relax are powerful and tangible.

Affirmation:

It’s safe to let go and relax. I’m safe now. I drop my shoulders, and release the tension in every part of my body. By relaxing, I’m allowing healing energy to fill my mind, body and spirit. In doing so, I have more resources and resiliency to deal with the challenges of my life. I trust that all is well, and Divine Right Action takes place for the Highest Good of all concerned.

As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, wellbeing and prosperity.To boost productivity and reduce overwhelm, register for her FREE guide, Design Your Best Day, at https://www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html