Although there are many options to obtain relaxation, people sometimes don’t understand how the mind actually creates a state of relaxation. You must be able to let your mind do its work by what amounts to significant visual stimulation.

When there is very little movement of any scene you are looking at, the mind starts to create extra imagery to fill in its need for stimuli. It is an automatic process.

Sometimes you may have noticed that you are staring blankly at a scene like a lake or the lapping waves at a beach or the slow swimming of fish in a tank, your thoughts tend to drift? We just sit and stare for no apparent reason.

The same can happen when you are driving on a highway where the trip seems boring or routine. Suddenly you realize you’ve gone many miles and time has gone by quickly, yet you were “day-dreaming” and were able to drive your vehicle without problems.

What often occurs is the sub-conscious mind finding a lack of information to process as not much change is occurring with little new to process. The mind the starts manufacturing new stimuli to replace the lack of imagery it is receiving.

The same applies when you watch a video that contains very little actual change in movement or action. It is a technique used to let the creative mind come forward or to allow for decisions to be made or influenced on the unconscious level.

This is a state of mind known as ‘exterpassive’ influence. When used to reduce stress or manage it, this form of therapy can be become very beneficial in its application.

People also use techniques such as fixating on a candle flame, listening intently to meditation tapes, through biofeedback sessions, and in other ways. Watching a video on your computer or mobile device which follows these techniques can also be of significant benefit.

Sometimes just a few minutes of watching such a video or screen-saver can induce this state of relaxation. It is often a quick and simple way to relax, the benefits of which can be enormous.