Customer Reviews

Drifting Downstream: Guided Relaxation for Stress Reduction

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a beginner to guided relaxation and meditation, so I bought this CD along with two other highly recommended relaxation CDs of the same type (Pure Relaxation by Mary and Richard Maddux and Creating Calm In Your Life with Rivka Simmons). I found this CD to be better BY FAR than the other two I bought at the same time.

The thing I like the best about this particular program is Dr. Hardin's voice. While Mary Maddux in the "Pure Relaxation" program distracted me by extending her words out to ideally generate some relaxing effect, Dr. Hardin did not sink to such tactics in Drifting Downstream. He spoke normally and let his VERY calming voice naturally soothe. I also found the music in this CD to work together with the narration effectively. It wasn't distracting at all.

I also liked that unlike the other two CDs I mentioned above, Dr. Hardin started the relaxation at the head and moved down to the feet, which I found much more effective than starting at the feet and moving up to the head. I fell asleep the first time I listened to it and have found it more and more effective in relaxing me each time I listen to it. Considering I have 4 small children running around and stressing me out all the time, a relaxation program's ability to relax me enough to put me to sleep REALLY says something about the effectiveness of a product, I think.

I don't normally write reviews, But after reading the critical review of Dr. Hardings "Drifting Downstream" relaxion CD, I felt I had to take the time to share my experience.

I was a very active person with a tremendously stressful job who suffered a life altering injury. Becasue of the injury, I lost my job and have alot of chronic pain. I also started to suffer from insomnia but did not like taking all of the medications prescribed.

This CD was recommended to me and I have to say it saved my sanity. I listen to it almost every evening while going to sleep, and rarely do I make it through the whole CD before I fall asleep.

The visual journey, along with Dr. Hardins soothing voice, have helped me get a handle on my insomnia. For those of you who suffer from lack of sleep due to pain and stress you know how important this is so that you can get up to fight another day!!!. Obviously I HIGHLY recommend this CD.

I knew a stressful period was coming up for me so I bought several relaxation CDs to help me fall asleep. This one worked the very best for me. I have even fallen asleep listening to it several times. Very relaxing mental exercises, voice, and music. I highly recommend it.

UPDATE: I've been using this CD for nearly five years. I fall asleep to it at least five nights out of seven. It's so useful, I bought a backup in case something happens to my first one.

I have just begun meditating recently and have been downloading lots of guided meditations. This is by far the best. I am very picky about my guided meditations - anything distracting and I move on and try a different one. This one is very natural and has gotten me into relaxed state better than any other. Very Satisfied.

I bought this because I was having trouble falling asleep. (Work stress will do that to you.) The CD is very simple. Gentle soothing music is played in the background as Dr Hardin lulls you into a very relaxed state.

I have to admit that after reading previous reviews, I was concerned about the over-emphasis of S & C sounds. The first time I listened to it, I heard it straight away and thought that it would be too distracting. ....I was asleep 5 minutes later. I put this CD on most nights as I go to bed and I'm asleep in 2 to 3 minutes. I haven't once made it to the end of the CD!

If you're having trouble getting to sleep, I recommend this.

I bought this album because of Dr. Halpern's described experience with patients in pain and based on another review written by someone having similar problems with chronic pain and insomnia. I, too, was very active until I was in a disabling accident 3 years ago, and now suffer from chronic pain and terrible, debilitating insomnia.

I actually found this album to be quite excellent -- the music and the voiceover -- EXCEPT that at the end of the guided relaxation track you're guided to open your eyes and be awake and alert (but relaxed), rather than to go to sleep. For me, this made it a complete waste of money because I'm not really able to tell myself at that point, "ignore the voice ... go to sleep."

This album would be excellent for stress relief, as it was obviously intended to, but does not help me sleep because of these few sentences guiding you back to being alert rather than to go to sleep. It would be an excellent break in an office workday or at the end of the workday, but I'm so disabled I can't work.

I wish the descriptions and/or samples on these albums were more thorough. Actually I wish there were some kind of description AT ALL!

I received my CD in an excellent time frame, and am using it at work on a very low setting. The atmosphere at work gets stressful and this seems to have a calming effect.
Would recommend it.

I own many relax, less stress, and anxiety CD's. This is the best and most relaxing CD I have. I listen to it all the time. You can't go wrong with this selection!

The first time I listened to this CD, I laughed because Dr.Hardin sounds like he's hypnotizing you. But then I started really taking him seriously and I would usually fall asleep before the 3rd track. It's really useful if you're having a hard time relaxing due to aches & pains. That's why it was recommended to me, bcause of chronic pain, and it was a life-send. It's just so amazingingly relaxing. A must have for people that have trouble relaxing after a rough day or have trouble falling asleep.

I purchased this CD because I was having trouble sleeping. The speaker has the most soothing voice. It doesn't take very long before I'm fast a sleep. I would highly recommend this to anyone who just can't get a good nights' sleep.