The demands that we are placing on our lives increase week by week. Most of the time we are aware of this, however what we are often unaware of is the impact that it is having on our health. The fast pace life that we ’embrace’ is increasing our level of stress – a condition that is now commonplace for the average Australian.

Stress comes at a cost and it is a hefty price to pay. The result is often a diminishing quality of life and overall well being.

Some of the general symptoms of stress are:

Constantly feeling anxious and worried
Feeling irritable, agitated and easily annoyed
Argumentative and defensive with friends and family
Restless sleeping
Low levels of energy, often waking up feeling tired
Restless and frenetic mind
Often self critical and or critical of others.
Feeling flat and uninspired
Having difficulty concentrating
Skin rashes and conditions
Clenching your jaw muscles and grinding your teeth at night
Headaches and migraines

Stress is held in the body and over a prolonged period of time can manifest as a variety of illnesses and conditions. When we are stressed and fatigued we are a shadow of our authentic selves. We lack energy and enthusiasm and often are not very good company to be around.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence to suggest that the practice of eyes closed silence is an effective way to gain the sufficient rest the body requires to relieve stress.

Eyes closed silence refers to any mental process including the most common practices of meditation, prayer, observance of the breath and contemplation that induces a set of integrated psychophysiological changes termed as the ‘relaxation response’.

The relaxation response is a measurable change in the mind and body that deactivates the stress response and enables the body to rapidly repair from its negative effects.

Some of the measurable changes within the relaxation response include:

Higher brain functioning
Increased immune function
Lowered blood pressure
Lowered heart rate

Psychological changes observed in the relaxation response are:

Increased awareness
Increased attention/focus
Increased clarity in thinking and perception
Lowered anxiety levels
Experience of being calm and internally still
Experience of feeling connected

Regularly practicing eyes closed silence has been demonstrated to significantly assist the restoration of the mind and body to their normal functioning states. In our unstressed state we are happy, healthy, vital, enthusiastic and inspired; capable of responding to life’s challenges and demands with grace and ease.

If you are experiencing stress in your life, you are not alone, eyes closed silence may be a helpful technique to provide you relief from stress.