Unwind and Relax

from You Version
Psalm 23

Behavioral therapy involves a technique which teaches people to tense their bodies and then relax them. Repeating this exercise helps identify when our bodies are stressed and what to do to ease that tension. This process of relaxing the body when combined with proper breathing exercises releases hormones that increase tranquility and reduce anxiety.

While this is helpful with behavioral issues, the technique isn’t just for those who seek therapy. We all need to learn how to unwind and relax our minds and bodies. This helps our creativity at work and home by engaging the part of our minds that is dormant when we are focused or stressed. Cortisol is released as stress levels increase. Relaxing maintains healthy levels of this hormone which affects every cell in the body. A feeling of serenity and calmness also opens our hearts and minds so we can effectively read the Word and listen to the Holy Spirit.

What do you do to relax your mind and body before meditating on God’s Word?