When we learn to consciously relax, we develop the ability to purposefully release unnecessary tension in our body and mind. This creates huge shifts in our well-being.

We grow able to pause on purpose, get grounded, and deliberately deepen our breath. As our breath deepens, we can initiate our relaxation response—the part of our nervous system responsible for de-escalating our stress response. If the Fight or Flight Response is our gas pedal, the Relaxation Response is our brake.

The relaxation response helps us to counteract the toxic effects of chronic stress by slowing breathing rate, relaxing muscles, and reducing blood pressure.

It helps to lift immune function and enhance the process of digestion. Basically, it sets the whole body up for deep healing, growth, and repair. It shifts us into rest and digest mode.

When we are relaxed in this way, more calm and clear, our world opens up. We not only feel more healthy, we feel more connected to ourselves and others.

All of this helps us to respond differently to the stimulus—in our world, in our lives, in our relationships, in our work—that triggers our stress.

I’d like to emphasize that eliciting our relaxation response isn’t the solution to the very real systemic issues in our world that require collective action.

However, when we stay more in balance on a daily basis, we can find it easier to respond to the challenges in our lives and our communities.

We’ll find it easier to pause, resource ourselves, and then come back in service of ourselves and each other.