Sophrology To Escape Daily Stress
The word sophrology comes from the Greek serenity ( sos ), spirit ( phren ) and study, reason ( logos ). This scientific discipline appeared in Europe, in the field of medicine. Its main mission is to study how to improve the positive dimension of human mental capacities.
In the same way that a muscle can be exercised and improved, humans can train and develop their mental capacities. The sop hrology therefore seeks to help the human being to develop his full potential, by considering him as an indivisible entity and by treating both physical and mental aspects.
Sophrology has been ambitiously referred to as the science of human consciousness. But things go beyond. It has also been considered a set of methods and techniques for relaxation. So that we can affirm that sophrology is a scientific proposition that can help us relax in stressful situations.
What do we understand by stress?
Scientists say stress happens all the time. More so, a stress free body is a lifeless body. We must always desire a certain level of stress. But that’s not what most people refer to when they say “I’m feeling stressed”.
Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demands placed on it. This response is physiological and psychological. It is made up of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and glandular changes.
Many people think that there is little or nothing they can do when they feel stressed. Dealing with the challenges and emotions of life is a skill. The good news is that a skill can be learned.
How does sophrology help us with stress?
The discipline of sophrology was created in the 1960s by Alfonso Caycedo. Alfonso Caycedo was a Colombian psychiatrist who practiced in Madrid. This ad apta techniques of yoga, Buddhism and Zen for incorporation in treating his patients.
The relaxation therapy is therefore become a discipline to prevent and combat stress. To deepen self-knowledge as well, as we have emphasized previously. Sophrology cannot be understood on the basis of theories alone because experience is the best way to learn.
The Caycedo method
The Caycedo method is the practical structure of relaxation therapy. It is first of all inspired by oriental techniques, such as yoga, Buddhism and Zen, adapted today to our mentality and our way of life.
What does the Caycedo method consist of? This method consists in practicing the dynamic relaxation of Caycedo and specific phronic techniques. Let’s see what they consist of.
Caycedo’s dynamic relaxation
Caycedo dynamic relaxation (RDC) is the method used in sophrology. It consists of the practice of a series of relaxation techniques combined with physical exercises and mental strategies. It is tried, through them, to achieve specific goals, such as dealing with the stress that we undergo on a daily basis.
During its practice, the person develops their capacity for introspection at different levels. First, by becoming aware of his body, then his mind and then his emotional states.
This phenomenological process of consciousness leads to better control of physical tensions, annoying thoughts and emotions. The person learns to transform negative habits into positive ones. With practice, she acquires a more serene attitude, more aware of her values and those of her environment.
Caycedo’s dynamic relaxation is made up of twelve degrees that are part of a coherent and structured methodology. Its main objective is to gradually develop self-awareness at the bodily, mental, emotional, behavioral, axiological and social levels. It claims to reduce stress levels at the same time.
For this she uses relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and psychophysical strategies. The objective is to promote a serene daily life, the creation of positive habits, the strengthening of the individual’s resources and the development of existential values.
Specific phonics techniques
These techniques are characterized by their short duration and their specificity. They can last ten or fifteen minutes on average. We wo illons with them the parameters of past, present or the future of the person. The emphasis is always on positive experiences.
Just as an emotionally negative experience can negatively affect our psychophysical balance, a positive experience also affects the whole person. Sophrology activates the positive both in the practice of the Caycedo method and in everyday life.
The person learns to experience the positive in himself (positive somatization) and to become aware of the small positive moments of each day. According to Dr. Caycedo, any positive action directed towards one part of the consciousness has a positive effect on the whole being.
The stress to which we are subjected daily can be managed in a positive way thanks to the dynamic relaxation of Caycedo and to the specific phonic techniques. But it will also help us to know each other better.
Our thoughts We often ignore all the ailments that stress can cause, especially if it lasts over time. Here are a few to consider …
