Efeitos do relaxamento induzido em estudantes do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da UFPB

Abstract

The verb “relax” refers to reducing tension and loosening muscles. Techniques such as autogenic relaxation and induced relaxation aim to provide muscular and psychological relaxation, and breathing techniques can be considered a way of relaxing the body and helping to regulate emotions. The academic environment, the increased complexity of professions and competition have demanded greater physical, mental and emotional adaptability from students. In this context, mental health self-care practices are beneficial when integrated into everyday life. Relaxation techniques can contribute to this scenario, providing a moment of self-care and well-being. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of Induced Relaxation on students at UFPB's Health Sciences Center. The study, part of the extension project “Induced Relaxation as a Strategy for Health”, consisted of exploratory and qualitative research and was carried out in four stages, including: recruiting participants, carrying out relaxation experiences, recording post-experience reports and analyzing data using Content Analysis in the Thematic Analysis modality. Throughout this research, 67 students from various health courses took part. 36 participants reported their objective and/or subjective perceptions, some of which were mentioned in the research. Analysis of the reports revealed four core meanings: “physical body”, “well-being”, “safety, security and protection” and “emotional regulation”. The physical body core brought significant experiences, since the participants expressed clear perceptions of muscle relaxation, as well as a general state of lightness, these findings corroborating the existing literature. With regard to the well-being core, the statements of inner peace and lightness indicate that the practice can be an effective tool for coping with the pressures that exist in the academic and personal spheres. In the core of security, welcome and protection, participants felt comfortable and protected to the point of experiencing emotional well-being, suggesting the importance of creating calm environments for practicing relaxation techniques. Finally, emotional regulation was evidenced in the perception of reduced stress and anxiety, meaning that the technique suggests it is useful for this aspect and for mental clarity. The experience was significant, even though some students reported difficulty relaxing, the experience proved to be a significant step towards self-care and emotional self-regulation. Although this study has limitations, the effectiveness of relaxation techniques seems to emerge as a valuable tool for health promotion. It is recommended for future studies to obtain long-term follow-up data, expand the sample and interventions to solidify these findings, since this analysis was based on a single relaxation experience. This work contributes to the academic field and serves as a call for the practical use of relaxation techniques, highlighting their potential to transform the everyday experience of individuals, especially in challenging environments such as academia