Why it is important to learn to relax

Learning how to relax can help you in many ways. You might be surprised at how learning such a simple skill can have so many benefits.
Relaxation can:
• help reduce the effects of stress on your body, like anxiety and tension
• help manage pain by changing pain messages
• give you more energy

Relaxation is a skill you can learn and improve on with practice. Just like playing the guitar or baseball, the more you practice, the better you get. When you are relaxed, your body is limp and your muscles are loose. If you are sitting in a chair or lying in bed, you might feel your body sink as you let go of your tension. You will also notice your breathing become slow and deep.