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Learn to relax â€" . it’s essential for well-being lt is surprising how little we know about the art of relaxation. Relax- ation is more than getting away from the work-aâ€"day grind, and it is more than the absence of stress. It is some- thing positive and satisfying â€" a feel- ing in which one experiences peace of mind. True relaxation requires becoming sensitive to one's basic needs for peace, self-awareness, thoughtful reflection - and the will- ingness to meet thae needs rather than ignoring or dismissing them. The continuing pressures of every- day life take a heavy toll on the physical and mental well-being of millions of people each year. Medical research into the origins of common diseases such as high blood pressure. heart disease, ulcers, and headaches shows a connection between stress and the development of such ailâ€" ments. In the area of mental health, stress frequently underlies emotional and behavioral problems, including nervous breakdowns. Various envi- ronmental factors â€" from noise and air pollution to economic disrup- tions, such as unemployment, infla- tion, and recession â€" can make living conditions even more stressful. These conditions, in turn, can create a greater need for mental health serâ€" vices to help peeple cope more effec- tively with their environment. In the course of a day, people are frequently distracted from their activities by personal problems â€" conflicts with family members, disagreements with employers, poor living or working conditions, boredom, ioneliness â€" to name just a few. It is easy to get so preoccupied with living, thinking, organizing, existing, and working that a person disregards his or her needs for relax- ation. Most people reared in our producâ€" tion-oriented society feel guilty, or at least ill-at-ease, when they are not acâ€" tively involved in accomplishing tasks or producing things. Even their vaca- tions become whirlwind productions that leave the participants exhausted 10 after concentrating too many experi- ences into a short period of time. Such behavior undermines the value of vacation time as an opportunity for diversion, calm, restoration of one’s energies, and gaining new experiences. > Unfortunately, some people pur- sue relaxation with the same concern for time, productivity, and activity that they show in their everyday life patterns. Far too few people know how to turn off their body clocks and gain satisfaction out of just being instead of always striving. The secret in getting the best results from at- tempts at relaxation is simple: Find those activities which give you pleasure, and, when you pursue them, commit your energies to total mental and physical well-being. If your diversion results in an artistic product, musical skills, further education, a better physique, or whatever, that's great. But remember that relaxation, not achievement, is your main reason for participating in the activity. Mental health specialists have come up with some suggestions for learning the art of relaxation: Keep in mind two important rules of thumb in deciding on relaxation activities: Do not be afraid to try something new and different. Choose activities you really enjoy, not ac- tivities you think other people want you to pursue. The following are some activities worth thinking about: 1. Check out various community activities available through recrea- tion departments. adult education programs, volunteer work oppor- tunities, college courses, etc. 2. Consider exercise such as walking around your neighborhood or in the woods. and bicycling, dancing, playing golf, swimming, garden- ing, bowling, etc. 3. For the more physically fit, more strenuous exercise can prove most relaxing. Jogging, playing tennis, basketball, handball, squash, etc., can give one a feeling ofwonderful relaxation after an intense work. out. .Try some mental exercises tr‘ create a sensc of peace and tran- quility in body and mind. Ont such exercise involves concentra tion on relaxing successive Sets 0- muscles from the tips of your toe- to the muscles in your foreheat and neck. Other mental relaxatio: techniques include getting fully in volved with a good book, driftin- of f into a quiet state with music, 0 focusing on a beautiful scene 0 drawing and losing oneself in it.