Effective Relaxation - Which Comes First? The Mind or the Body?

I have struggled with a chicken and egg scenario for many years and would love to gather some popular opinion on it. In short, when you're in a stressful situation and need to relax, should you target a solution directed at the mind or the body first? What is the most effective option?

My interest in relaxation began when I was in university and found myself getting nervous and anxious about upcoming events, which often led to a miserable night's sleep. This was many years ago before the Internet was a viable resource, and the only research option was the library.

There were many self-help books available, and the experts at the time suggested solutions such as "detaching from your ego," "regaining control of your thoughts," and "noticing the gaps."

I devoured many of these books and, as logical as their proposals seemed, the reality when in a state of agitation is these conceptual thought based solutions rarely work. In practice, the books had the opposite effect on me.

After reading, I often became more stressed because I was not successful in implementing and benefiting from their proven strategies that evidently helped so many other people. There had to be something wrong with me!

As time went on, I, fortunately, developed better coping strategies while working through many years of common challenges such as career, relationship, marriage, children, health, and so on. During this time, I also observed the relationship between physical activity and mental health.

Because I was less physically active than during my youth, I noticed the positive impact of vigorous exercise more distinctly. After a tough game of squash, a challenging 10 KM run, or any other taxing physical endeavour, my mind and body were noticeably more relaxed.

This phenomenon was intriguing because my life situation post-exercise was no different than an hour earlier, and yet I was markedly more relaxed and optimistic – how was this possible?

I think we have all heard of endorphins and know a healthy body promotes a healthy mind, and exercise is incredibly valuable for both mental and physical health. But, even with this acknowledgement, my original question remains – when you are stressed and need an effective relaxation solution, what should come first? The Body? The Mind?

The answer is tricky because when highly stimulated, your brain shifts to a Beta state. Beta is a reactive state of mind and the only frequency where negative emotions such as fear, dread, and frustration can occur. When these emotions take over, it kicks off a vicious cycle by releasing neurotransmitters that trigger the fight or flight response.

This has a cascading effect throughout the entire body, raising blood pressure, tensing muscles, and preparing the mind and body for action. When this happens, it is nearly impossible to relax. This mind-body connection is not hypothetical or new age science. It has been scientifically measured through the use of EEG (electroencephalography), and the effects on the body are well documented.

Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

As a result, I think we can surmise that any effective measure to induce relaxation will have to involve both the mind and the body to be optimally effective. Particularly if the person trying to relax is in a stressed or agitated state.

When evaluating solutions, we must also consider what is practical, depending on the scenario. For example, if it is late the night before a big meeting and you are struggling to get to sleep, going for a 5 KM run is likely not the best choice. Neither is calling a friend at 1:00 AM. Medication has its own set of risks and watching TV, or other screens, can disrupt circadian rhythms and can make sleep even more challenging.

There is no single right answer, and I would love to hear what your thoughts are. Please comment below. Our next post will include what you had to say, along with our thoughts on the answer.

Until then, relax and enjoy life!

Which Comes First? The Body or the Mind?

After reading, I often became more stressed because I was not successful in implementing and benefiting from their proven strategies that evidently helped so many other people. There had to be something wrong with me!