relaxation
/riːlakˈseɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The state of being free from tension and anxiety: I guided my patient into a state of hypnotic relaxation...
- Kraft completed a study of the possible value of hypnotic relaxation in the management of anxiety in 12 terminally ill patients with cancer.
- In most instances, the patient already has received preoperative medication in an effort to lower her anxiety level and promote relaxation.
- Controls included remaining on a waiting list, anxiety management training, relaxation training, and non-directive psychotherapy.
Synonyms
mental repose, composure;
calm, tranquillity, peacefulness, calming oneself, loosening up, unwinding, winding down
1.1Recreation or rest, especially after a period of work: his favourite form of relaxation was reading detective novels...
- While you may be eager to begin this period of rest and relaxation, don't be in a rush to jump in the car after a long day of work.
- A three-week rest and relaxation period, originally scheduled for Geraldton, will now be held in Carnarvon before the ship sets sail for the Mid West again.
- This is a time of rest from sorrow and relaxation after a period of anxiety.
Synonyms
recreation, enjoyment, amusement, entertainment, diversion, distraction, fun, pleasure, rest, refreshment, relief, respite, leisure, leisure activity/pursuit
informal R and R
1.2The loss of tension in a part of the body, especially in a muscle when it ceases to contract.Stimulation of a beta receptor causes muscle vasodilation, bronchial relaxation, and cardiac acceleration....
- The depth and rate of breathing are controlled by special centres in the brain, which influence the nerves that cause contraction and relaxation of the muscles of respiration.
- Music, massage, imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and therapeutic touch are a few examples.
Synonyms
loosening, slackening, loosing, easing
2The action of making a rule or restriction less strict: relaxation of censorship rules...
- He repeatedly stressed he was not linking aid to any relaxation of the rules on soccer and insisted no pre-conditions would be fixed to a GAA grant application.
- The relaxation of rules and the news that crude oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve will be made available helped calm the energy markets.
- I recall that in the 1950s some enterprising spirits asked the Permanent Secretary if some relaxation of this rule could be allowed.
Synonyms
moderation, modification, easing, loosening, lessening, lightening, slackening;
alleviation, mitigation, qualification, dilution, weakening, diminution, reduction
informal letting up
3 Physics The restoration of equilibrium following disturbance.After light excitation, the protein transfers the excess energy via vibrational relaxation to the surrounding water bath....
- The process of vibrational relaxation involves the dissipation of excess vibrational energy into the surroundings.
- However, such a complex formula would hardly be of practical use for analysing measured pressure relaxation curves.