The Power of Relaxation
Have you ever read stories about how relaxation and positive thinking can heal the sick, increase performance in work or sport activities, improve grades in school, etc.? The mind can encourage the body to do amazing things.
The body listens to the mind and if the mind is stressed, signals get crossed and orders are misunderstood. In a calm, relaxed state, the body hears and performs better. The same goes for preparing for the birth of your baby: the more calm your mind is, the easier and less painful childbearing will be.
Influence of Stress and Tension on the Body
Stress and tension have many effects on your body. If you tense up during childbirth, especially in your face and neck, this will spread to your pelvic muscles, causing them to tire out sooner and even hurt the relaxed ones. The chemical changes that take place in these tense muscles lower the muscle’s pain threshold and tires your mind which in turn increases your awareness of pain and decreases your ability to cope with it.
Through intensive mental training using powerful relaxation, breathing and visualization techniques, your body and mind can more easily prepare for the birth of your baby, allowing you to experience either less or no pain. I speak from experience, all 3 of my children were born almost pain-free. There is, of course, no guarantee, but the possibility remains if you are willing to train for it.
Defining Relaxation
Many people understand the word ‘relaxation’ to mean clearing the mind, stilling the body and breathing deep. This, however, does not work for everyone and if you are one of these people, it is important to find out what works for you.
“The Power of Relaxation is the lessening effect of stress. To achieve this we need to have the perfect platform to catalytically reach the summit of inner peace where we are at concord with our self, our friends and The Universe.”
Are you relaxed when taking a walk on the beach or in the forest while concentrating on nothing but the whistle of the wind, singing of the birds, crashing of the waves or blowing of the trees? Do you find yourself at ease while rocking back and forth in a rocking chair listening to music? Or sitting on a park bench watching the birds or even swimming laps?
Even when your body is moving, your mind can be calm and at ease.
Whatever makes you feel comfortable, ‘get lost in your thoughts’ and become emotionally calm is your own personal method of relaxation.
Relaxation Exercise
The following exercise is often used in yoga and can help you get in a relaxed state of mind. This is your time … a time for complete and utter relaxation.
- Turn off your phone, dim the lights and if you wish, turn on soothing music
- Find a quiet place to relax, either sitting or lying down
- Make sure you are warm and comfortable, place your hands loosely in your lap or by your side and close your eyes
- Breathe in relaxation and breathe out stress and tension while noticing how your abdomen rises and falls with each breath
- Become aware of all your muscles and begin to relax them, one by one, starting from your head and moving down to your toes – Please note: your jaw has a direct connection to your vaginal outlet and needs to be relaxed now and during childbirth
- Once your body is completely relaxed, enjoy the moment for as long as you wish and when you are ready, ‘return’ to the room: slowly open your eyes, wiggle your hands and feet, stretch your arms and legs and slowly and ergonomically get up.
This exercise is designed to prepare you for complete body control. You have the ability to relax and tense your muscles when you wish and when properly trained, you can release all the tension and stress out of our body to ensure a more pleasant and comfortable childbirth.
Birth Affirmations
Another successful relaxation technique for many pregnant women is to repeatedly listen to birth affirmations.
Birth Affirmations are positive statements about you, your baby and your birth.
Through repetition, calming music and motivational inner dialogue, you alone have the ability of transforming any negative thoughts you may have about giving birth into positive ones.
I highly encourage you to set aside at least 10 minutes a day to relax while listening to your birth affirmations and make it a part of your daily routine.
If you have not yet received your birth affirmations from me as a free gift, please do so now.
Do You Need Assistance with Relaxation?
How do you relax?
Please comment below and share your own personal experience, because maybe it can help others to find their own method of relaxation.
Warmly,
