We’ve all heard about the stress response and how it automatically produces negative thinking, destructive habits and feelings of ill health. You may be less familiar with the relaxation response which creates the exact opposite reaction as the stress response. It was developed by Dr Herb Bensen at the Harvard Medical School and produces a range of benefits from great heath to creativity.

While the stress response happens automatically the relaxation response must be elicited or deliberatley brought about. It’s simply a profound state of rest with two characteristics: 1. Focusing on a repetitive activity like breathing, walking or affirmations 2. A non-judgemental attitude to any thoughts that arise The simplest way to illicit the response is to sit down comfortably and observe your breath. If you’d like a free copy of a sound – file of how to illicit the response then just send me an email (peteranthony@mettta.com.au).