Creating and Maintaining Well Being: The Relaxation Response at Work

Sammanfattning: Numerous studies have presented physical and psychological benefits of meditation. Many of these are due to the so called Relaxation Response. In our study, we compared a concentrative meditation practice and a relaxation practice to investigate potential differences in the elicitation of the Relaxation Response. The study was performed during 12 weeks on 15 subjects employed by the Police Authority. We measured the subjective well-being, according to the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and by reading blood pressures. The descriptive analysis of the results, supports that the Relaxation Response is elicited by meditation and, although weaker, by physical relaxation. An elicited Relaxation Response is, however, maintained by relaxation. We also looked at the possibilities of introducing these practices in the work environment. There are several issues to deal with if the methods are to be applied in the work environment, mainly creating the time and place for the employees.