Preventative Medicine and Self-Nurturance
Arnold Shapiro, MD
September – October 2020 • Vol 3, No 111
There is a need for a word to match “Stressors,” which are often mentioned as the sources of stress in our lives. The word I chose many years ago is Relaxors, referring to sources of relaxation in our lives. Stressors are challenges, demands, aggravators and arousers (gear-ups), while relaxors are soothers, calmers and easers (gear-downs).
Like Stressors, Relaxors come in many forms. The main Relaxors I will cite are soothing images, soothing words, soothing touch, and soothing breathing. Soothing images are images of peaceful and tranquil places and things. Soothing words are words that help you feel at peace. Soothing touch is a touch you would like to receive from someone else, or that you would give to a baby or a pet. It is self-administered in these Relation Techniques. Soothing breathing is described as deep, slow, smooth and rhythmic. Relaxation Techniques are sequences and combinations of Relaxors.
