Systemic Hypertension and the Relaxation Response

Abstract

The relaxation response is defined as a set of integrated physiologic changes that may be elicited when a subject assumes a relaxed position, often with closed eyes, within a quiet environment, engages in a repetitive mental action and passively ignores distracting thoughts. The physiologic changes that result include decreases in oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial blood lactate, and slight increases in skeletal-muscle blood flow and in the intensity of slow alpha waves on the electroencephalogram.^{1 2 3 4} These changes occur concomitantly and are different from those observed during quiet sitting or sleep.^{4 , 5} They are consistent with generalized decreased sympathetic-nervous-system . . .