this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2025
35 points (94.9% liked)

Ask Science

13059 readers
22 users here now

Ask a science question, get a science answer.


Community Rules


Rule 1: Be respectful and inclusive.Treat others with respect, and maintain a positive atmosphere.


Rule 2: No harassment, hate speech, bigotry, or trolling.Avoid any form of harassment, hate speech, bigotry, or offensive behavior.


Rule 3: Engage in constructive discussions.Contribute to meaningful and constructive discussions that enhance scientific understanding.


Rule 4: No AI-generated answers.Strictly prohibit the use of AI-generated answers. Providing answers generated by AI systems is not allowed and may result in a ban.


Rule 5: Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.Adhere to community guidelines and comply with instructions given by moderators.


Rule 6: Use appropriate language and tone.Communicate using suitable language and maintain a professional and respectful tone.


Rule 7: Report violations.Report any violations of the community rules to the moderators for appropriate action.


Rule 8: Foster a continuous learning environment.Encourage a continuous learning environment where members can share knowledge and engage in scientific discussions.


Rule 9: Source required for answers.Provide credible sources for answers. Failure to include a source may result in the removal of the answer to ensure information reliability.


By adhering to these rules, we create a welcoming and informative environment where science-related questions receive accurate and credible answers. Thank you for your cooperation in making the Ask Science community a valuable resource for scientific knowledge.

We retain the discretion to modify the rules as we deem necessary.


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Not sure if I'm asking in the right community but I'm wondering if there is a point on the human body that if you relax it causes the entire rest of the body to relax?

top 18 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] DeathsEmbrace@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

All I know is deep breathing does that.

[–] iguessimlemming@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

The diaphragm, something I learned from tai chi. If you manage to find the top middle section which lets air through, and focus on de-tensing it, the rest follows. It's tricky though, especially under stress.

[–] uhmbah@lemmy.ca 12 points 1 day ago

The brain.

Try the breathing techniques or meditation others have mentioned here.

Practice relaxing:
Sit or lay down, close your eyes. Normal steady breathing. As things enter your mind just imagine that you're tossing it aside to be dealt with later. Doing that somewhat clears the mind. Gets better with practice.

[–] cecilkorik@lemmy.ca 15 points 2 days ago

Your brain is usually the most effective location to use to relax your entire body. Joking aside, the brain actually does exert powerful control over the entire body via nerves, hormones through the lymphatic system and blood flow, all largely driven by the underappreciated limbic system.

If you can get your brain under control, the body will often follow. Meditation is one sometimes clinically suggested option.

[–] toiletobserver@lemmy.world 20 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Tense all of your muscles for a few seconds while laying down. Slowly release your muscles from toe to head. Exhale.

Or

Learn to meditate

[–] dharmacurious@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Just tried this, feel like I'm being chased by a tiger now, heart is going like fucking crazy

[–] toiletobserver@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well? Did the tiger get you out not? The suspense is killing me.

[–] dharmacurious@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Managed to evade the tiger, but no joke I felt like I was being chased. Got so wound up I ended up getting on Grindr and finding a hookup lol

This is the opposite of what the Buddha wanted...

Good

[–] LuxSpark@lemmy.cafe 11 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I just verified this. Relax your anal sphincter and it will send a wave of calmness over your body.

[–] xxce2AAb@feddit.dk 12 points 2 days ago

^Disclaimer:^ ^May^ ^be^ ^immediately^ ^followed^ ^by^ ^blind^ ^panic.^

[–] TootSweet@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

!foundsatan@lemmy.world

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 9 points 2 days ago

The medulla oblongata. If you relax that, every other structure in your body relaxes as well. At least until rigor mortis sets in, anyway, because you'll be dead.

You don't really want your entire body to relax. The heart needs to keep pumping, of course, and the diaphragm moving for respiration. And the intestines need to keep doing their digestion.

[–] Commonwealth@thelemmy.club 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Try the 4-7-8 breathing method.

Inhale for 4 seconds Hold for 5-7 seconds Exhale for 6-8 seconds.

The key is the exhale time has to be a second longer than the whole. For me this relaxes my entire body.

[–] harmbugler@piefed.social 7 points 2 days ago

Try relaxing your face

[–] athairmor@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Try the Star Trek communities, ask a Vulcan.

[–] cRazi_man@europe.pub 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Not sure about any body hack like what you're asking for, but there are free mindfulness audio clips you can find online that are made to help sleep. It's audio narration to leave on and it talks through relaxing your whole body. Makes for a nice guided meditation.