Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques can really help with stress relief.
Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief
If you are experiencing a lot of stress in your life, it is really important to take the time to relax. Noticing your own breath is a simple and effective way to help calm your body and mind.
Relax and Breathe
We have all heard the expressions: "relax!" and "breathe!" Why do we say that to people who appear to be going overboard? For three reasons:
1. Because we know that stress causes rapid, shallow breathing, and this in turn causes many other stress responses that can harm your health;
2. Because taking notice of your breathing is a way to get back in touch with your body to help you relax; and
3. Because when other people are stressed, it triggers the stress response in us, and we end up going overboard, and then someone has to tell us to relax or breathe!
Relaxation Breathing Technique
In reality, telling yourself to relax isn't going to do much unless you back those words up with some type of action. Many massage therapists and practitioners find that their clients are not breathing correctly. Aside from the massage, a part of their job is to help you find ways to relax. Try this one your self. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly. Where is the breath coming from - your chest or your belly? Belly breathing is what you are after so that the diaphragm is more involved. Inhale, and the belly comes out, exhale and the belly goes in. Learning to breathe this way will help you relax, both your body and your mind. Although, all that is really required is to be mindful of your breath. When you are focusing on the natural flow of your breath, you are being mindful, and by being mindful, you are in a sense, meditating, and then everything begins to quiet down. Give it a try.
Rely on Your Body
When you are in the middle of a stressful situation, most people don't realize that their body is going to help them more than they realize. How do you release tension? For starters, you could try some of the following movements:
Stretch, shrug your shoulders, rub your feet, clench and unclench your hands, rub your head, walk, shake it out, and of course breathe!
Relaxation Massage
One of the main reasons people have a massage is to help them relax. It is really becoming part of a healthy lifestyle. For some, massage is an effective way to release the effects of stress on their bodies and to really manage stress. Experts suggest that tense muscles are deprived of oxygen and this in turn causes a decrease in circulation to the area. Massage improves blood circulation, helps relax the muscles, and in turn makes you feel better!
© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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