Ready to give your brain the break it deserves? Dive into the science of relaxation and uncover how simple practices can lead to a happier, healthier mind.
The Science of Relaxation: How It Affects Your Brain
Discover the Fascinating Ways Relaxation Impacts Your Brain and Improves Your Life
Imagine that: You lie in the sand, and sunshine softens and warms up your skin; a crashing sound of waves against the beach, slightly saltwater and sunscreen-like. If that doesn’t literally sound like the ultimate relaxation to you, then I don’t know what does. I mean, did it ever occur to you how processes go right in our brains while we are relaxed? Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts because we’re about to do a little science here, but don’t you worry; I’ll make sure that we will have fun, too, along the way.
Stress: The Uninvited Guest
Let us start with the stress. Now, stress is just that unwanted guest to your party who eats all your snacks and then complains of the music. No, it is just your body’s natural reaction to what it perceives as a threat. Each time you become stressed, your brain secretes into the bloodstream a mixture of some chemicals, like adrenaline and cortisol, in order to stiffen you up for a “fight or flight” reaction. It literally means your brain has told you, “Something really isn’t right here!”
caveman fuel. So when the stress hit, our brains jumped straight to, ‘A saber-toothed tiger is going to jump on top of us.’ Today, it’s probably going to manifest itself as peering into an overflowing inbox or getting some really unwanted visit from your in-laws. Physically, though, your brain responds — all that differently: by freaking out.
The Brain on Relaxation
Now, reverse that. In relaxation, it’s almost the message goes from this part towards the brain: it is safe to chill out. In doing so, it provides an infusion of some happy juices directly from the body itself, such as serotonin and dopamine. Be like your brain had ordered some mini beach party and stopped as low as including small umbrellas in its drinks.
Relaxation stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This produces the “rest and digest” response: “All clear, folks; nothing to see here. Just kick back and enjoy the ride.” Your heart begins to beat less quickly. Your muscular tension eases. Your breathing becomes deeper, fuller, and more consistent. It’s almost as though your brain were putting on fuzzy slippers to curl up in a gigantic, comfortable chair.
The Mind-Body Connection
Now, you do know how a good belly laugh might make you physiologically better, right? Your mind and body are interconnected. As you are relaxed, so the signals are going from the body-muscles to the brain, relieving the tension. In other words, it’s been referred to as a two-way street with good vibes.
One of the coolest things about relaxation is that it potentially might alter the shape of your brain physically. The frequent, regular relaxation implies thickening, physically, of the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for making decisions and keeping control over one’s emotions. Think of it like having a personal trainer in your head who does pushups for you, sans sweat and grunts.
Meditation: The Ultimate Brain Workout
On meditation, let us talk about its effect on the brain — really, the overwhelming majority of moments one spends meditating are more like massaging the brain or sending it for a day at the spa. Reports also suggest that meditation increases that part of the brain called the hippocampus, responsible for memory and learning. It’s like your brain would say, “Thanks for the mental massage. Now, I remember where I put my keys.”
It also shrinks the amygdala. So, if you will, imagine your amygdala as a small, very caffeinated squirrel that is primed just raring to jump into high alert for danger. Well, Meditation relaxes that squirrel, makes him stop doing circles and really relax with a tiny, squirrel-sized margarita.
The Power of Laughter
Of course, then there’s laughter — the old saying goes: the best medicine is in laughter. Well, to a degree, this actually holds an element of truth. Each time he does so, when one laughs, his brain instantly gets a rush of that little army of endorphins acting as natural painkillers inside our system. It kind of feels like getting a big, warm squeeze or bear hug from the inside out.
This also increases blood flow to the brain, and with that, it increases cognitive function and creativity. So the next time you get busted by the boss at work watching those funny cat videos, how about telling him that you actually increase productivity? They will know, trust me. Well, maybe not, but it may be worth a shot!
Sleep: The Ultimate Brain Recharge
Now, the unsung hero in unwinding: sleep. I mean, your brain doesn’t really shut down when you do. The opposite, really — it cranks up and cleans and puts all that info you took in all day into its proper place. It kinda feels like your brain’s vacuuming while you’re having all those weird dreams about flying or showing up at work in your boxers.
You can basically think about this as the toilet flush to your brain. Those neurotoxic byproducts get cleaned out with deep sleep, which naturally build up in the course of a day and give rise to such diseases as Alzheimer’s. Kind of like taking out the garbage one does in your … brain. And who doesn’t love a clean house?
Practical Tips for Relaxation
Enough of the science side, though; let’s talk about how you live it. Where can you squeeze in more relaxation into your life? Here are some pointers from the book:
- Now, I know what you’re sitting there thinking, “This is so easy,” but the deep breathing’s really going to turn on that parasympathetic nervous system and start scavenging out your head. Inhale to overload on four, hold it to a count of four, exhale to a count of four. It feels a lot like you just rebooted your brain.
- Laugh More: Catch that comedy flick, read that really funny book, or just get around with people who are going to keep you hysterical. Of course, isn’t laughter said to be the best medicine?
- Get Moving: Exercise really does work a lot better as a de-stressor and as a kick-starter for the day. Either take a brisk walk, hit up a yoga class, or just dance your body around — move.
- Meditate: Even a few minutes a day make a world of difference. If you’re new to meditation, you may want to download an app or find guided videos online.
- Good Sleep: Go to bed and get good, quality sleep. Make sure to wind down with a bedtime routine. Make it cold, dark, and silent in your bedroom. Then, lie in bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Sign off the screen and social media every day. Go outside and feel the air, read a book, sit in silence completely and enjoy it.
Conclusion: Your Brain Deserves a Break
There you have it — people — the science of unwinding: in other words, the fact that, honestly, your brain really does need some frequent breaks to be at its best. From deep breathing and laughing to meditating and exercising — or even getting in good old-fashioned sleep — your brain begs for tender loving care that is truly earned.
Anyway, if you will excuse me, off I go to get in a bit of me time. Literally, I have got a hammock all fixed up with a good book in it. I’m probably looking at a margarita or two. What is your favorite way to relax? And how are you going to fit in just a bit more today? Your brain will thank you!
