This triggers what Herbert Benson, a pioneer in the field of mind/body medicine, described as the relaxation response—the same response you’re invoking if you practice meditation. In this physiological state, a person’s heart rate, metabolism, breathing rate, and brainwaves all slow—the exact opposite of the fight-or-flight response. This triggers a calming chemical cascade that allows the person to exhale and “listen to the quiet.” (I recommend this approach if you’re dealing with a child or teen who’s venting uncontrollably).
