Background to the
Relaxation Technique
The hypothalamic relaxation technique is a method of relaxation
I developed as a way of slowing down and relaxing an overactive
mind. It is an extremely easy relaxation technique to learn and
takes little effort to accomplish, yet produces maximum benefits,
particularly if you have trouble ‘switching off’.
Best of all; the technique is available here for FREE, takes
a couple of minutes to learn and can be used anywhere, at any
time!The benefits of being able to use relaxation to switch off from
work, or other stress factors cannot be overstated, particularly if
you live with serious illness such as multiple sclerosis where
stress can prove to be a major factor on overall health and
well-being.
Where your mind is ...
When you think consciously, you are predominantly using the area
of the brain known as the frontal cortex – it doesn’t matter if you
are right or left-handed, arty or mathematically minded – left and
right brain hemispheres still come together to process the
information in the frontal cortex.If you take a moment, you should be able to ‘feel’ your thoughts
within the front part of your brain, nearest to your forehead area.
You won’t be able to be particularly specific, just that this is
where the activity is happening – if you had to pick a point in your
head where you would say your mind was at a particular moment, you
would say “towards the front”; agreed? Good.
The Hypothalamic
Technique
This takes just a little practice, but once you have acquired
the technique, you should be able to implement it within a few
seconds, and feel the benefits of the relaxation technique
immediately!Beginning the easy steps to relaxation ...
Remember we were describing where your mind is within your head
… towards the front?All that's required - all you have to do, is 'move your mind',
your thinking area, away from the frontal-area and
towards the rear area of your head until you reach about the middle.
If any thoughts are keeping you from allowing your mind to slip
quietly towards the mid-point of your head, you MUST let them
go. If you hold onto them, they will only keep you burning energy in
the frontal cortex. Gently but firmly make yourself let them go and
focus on moving your centre of thinking.
Eyes open or closed works equally well.
The trick is to 'move' the activity backwards by, for example,
mentally picturing a handle or pointer and moving it from the front
to the middle.
What if I forget all the
stuff I am hanging onto?!
You will remember. I promise.
Think of your important issues as bubbles in your mind – they will
float right back to the top when you need them. Just let them go –
they’ll still be in there, ready and eager to float back to the
surface.You will begin to forget things however, if
your frontal cortex becomes exhausted by over-use. This I guarantee!
Trying to fight your way through brain-fog for example, by
constantly trying to keep ‘vital’ information at the forefront of
your thoughts only conspires against you. Eventually you will reach
the point of ‘burn-out’.
Apply the relaxation technique whenever you need to and you will
find appreciable benefits from resting the ‘thinking area’ of your
brain, that is to say, the frontal cortex.
Practice using the relaxation technique whenever you get a quiet
moment and soon you will find you can apply the hypothalamic
relaxation technique in the midst of any mayhem and reap the
relaxation rewards it brings. |
