By: Jay Feldman
According to a recent study from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 45 percent of American adults report being stressed about the news or their social media feeds once a week, and 16 percent say it stresses them out every day.
According to holistic healing practitioner Birgitta Visser, founder of Power Soul Healing, learning to relax may be an important practice for coping with contemporary life’s stressors and reconnecting with a sense of personal well-being.
“We often listen to unhelpful messages from the outside world, and without realizing it, we absorb them like sponges. It’s as if we’re standing in a room full of distorted mirrors that reflect our insecurities and doubts, making us believe we’re not good enough,” Visser explains. “We are glued to our screens rather than working on ourselves and understanding our own internal world, which is full of wisdom and magic. This distraction can distort our energy and make it difficult to relax, but you can’t move forward with ease if you can’t relax. Everything is interconnected, and learning to relax and reconnect with our inner truth can be essential for restoring harmony and balance in our lives.”
The Importance of Relaxation
Visser understands how challenging it can be to relax in today’s fast-paced world.
“All too often, we find ourselves caught up in the frenzied pace of modern life, running around like a gerbil on a treadmill because we are inundated with responsibilities, obligations, and the dramas we unconsciously weave and concoct within our minds,” Visser says. “We must remember to pause amidst the chaos, take a deep breath, and relax into the present moment. Being present in the moment means understanding that our power lies not in some distant future or past stories but in the here and now, where we create our reality. Presence is our sanctuary, and from here in this center of calm, we learn to move through life with grace, ease, and a clearer sense of power.”
Indeed, research suggests that taking time to relax can bring multiple health benefits for both body and mind. The reason is rooted in human physiology. The human nervous system has more than one operating system. One of these is the sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with the fight, flight, or freeze reflex. Another is the parasympathetic nervous system, which only activates when the person is relaxed.
“When we allow ourselves to relax and activate the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic state, it may help our bodies and minds restore balance and potentially support healing on a deeper level,” Visser explains.
Many of the body’s functions become easier when the person’s nervous system operates in the parasympathetic mode. The heart and lungs don’t need to pump as hard, and the digestive system becomes more efficient. Tension dissipates, psychological distress may decrease, and physiological balance is restored. Some people may even experience improvement in vision.
For Visser, relaxing also opens up the possibility of generating new insights, which may help transform the future for the better.
Relaxation: A Portal to Self-Transformation
“When fear and anxiety riddle our minds, overwhelming our senses, this energy can disrupt our meridian pathways,” Visser explains. “Relaxing helps to smooth out these pathways, dissolving tension and distress. With relaxation, challenges that once felt overwhelming may begin to resolve with ease as we loosen our grip and our need to control outcomes.”
Through relaxation, people can identify unhelpful thoughts and beliefs and then gain the opportunity to unburden themselves from them.
“The present is where we can create better tomorrows,” Visser explains. “By surrendering to what is, we create space to see through the stories and stresses we have constructed in our minds and created in our lives, shining the light of awareness on them. In this space of feeling relaxed, we may see that the mental movies we used to take so seriously are simply stories that dissolve into the emptiness from which they arose.”
Visser also explains how relaxation helps people reconnect with their true power. “We need to allow ourselves to unwind, releasing the tight grip of stress and control, for it is only then that we open the door for the effortless flow of life to carry us forward,” she explains. “Resting in our true nature, we re-establish the deep relationship with the authentic truth of our being, remembering the inherent peace, joy, and wholeness that we all have the potential to experience. When we allow ourselves to be, we create space for a more centered and calm approach to life.”
How to Learn to Relax
For Visser, everyone deserves to experience peace, and anyone can learn to relax if they choose to. Toward this end, she recommends meditating or doing breathwork every day.
“Regularly practicing meditation, breathwork, and unwinding can change our state of being,” she says. “We may awaken feeling clearer, lighter, and refreshed, and drift off to sleep more peacefully. Allow yourself to breathe deeply and fully, tuning into the natural rhythm of your breath as it flows in and out. Cultivate a sense of inner stillness and spaciousness, letting go of the mind’s constant chatter. Make time each day, even if just for a few precious minutes, to sit in quiet meditation, connecting with the presence that dwells within and practicing gratitude.”
According to Visser, practicing gratitude is also a valuable way to relax. “It’s like a soothing balm for the soul or a fresh mint for the mind, helping us relax amidst the chaos,” she explains. “When we focus on what we are grateful for, we shift our attention away from our worries and stress, allowing our nervous system to calm down.”
In Visser’s experience, many people who aren’t accustomed to relaxing, sitting still, and doing nothing might feel uncomfortable, especially at first. “That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong,” she says. “Many people have been conditioned to feel like they always need to be doing something productive. Relaxing is productive, however, and will help you perform at a higher level. In addition, it’s normal for thoughts to intrude while you’re practicing meditation or doing breathwork. If you notice your thoughts drifting, just bring your focus back to your breath.”
Visser also points out that relaxation can come in many forms. “The important thing is to find the specific practices that help you relax as a unique individual,” she says. “Spend some time experimenting with the options. Take a walk in the woods. Go for a drive. Do yoga or tai chi. Hug a tree!”
She also advocates cultivating a mindset of mindfulness, in which people pause in whatever they are doing and bring a renewed sense of consciousness to it. “Bringing awareness to simple daily activities can deepen and enrich them,” Visser explains. “Feel the sun’s warmth on your skin, smell the aroma of your morning coffee or tea, enjoy the beauty of a flower, or savor a fresh breeze.”
Join the Rest Revolution
For anyone who remains skeptical, Visser encourages them to test the effects of relaxation for themselves.
“Rather than remaining like a wound-up toy, learning how to relax and let go may transform our lives in profound and beautiful ways,” she says. “The magic and wisdom held in our inner world are calling out, inviting us to step away from our screens and distractions to journey inward. Learning to relax is the key that may unlock this inner sanctuary, revolutionizing our lives on every level imaginable.”
Disclaimer: The content in this article reflects the personal perspectives and practices of Birgitta Visser, a holistic healing practitioner. The benefits of relaxation and related techniques mentioned are based on general wellness practices and may vary from individual to individual. These practices are not intended as medical or therapeutic advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional healthcare. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified health professionals for specific health concerns or conditions.
