How to Relax, Relaxation Techniques
Useful Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief
Stress Relief Technique One
This is the simplest method of relaxing yourself, just take a deep breath in, hold it, and release slowly. As you release, let your shoulders drop. You’d be surprised how much tension resides in our shoulders. A variation of this technique is the walking meditation. As you walk along, count your paces. Breath in for 4 paces, hold for 4, breathe out for 6. Start again. You can vary the numbers. A singer I know does 12 in, 12 holding and 12 out, but then breath control is her stock in trade.
Stress Relief Technique Two
A useful, everyday technique to relieve stress is to develop your own awareness of your body. For example, observe your breathing. Become aware of the breath entering your body. The slight increase in tension in your chest muscles as your chest expands. The release of tension on the out breath. Any part of your body can be treated in this way. Pay close attention to your body here and now, and you will rapidly shed some of your tension.Stress Relief Technique Three
A third approach to stress reduction is to use an external object as your focus. A cup, for example. Let everything else disappear from your attention and focus exclusively on the cup. Become aware of its glaze. The porcelain beneath. Sense its curvature. Let its history begin to seep into your soul. I'm getting lyrical again, so slap me. When you focus intently on an everyday object, not forcing the issue but allowing that object to fill your field of awareness, good things happen to your mind and body. It's another example of living in the here and now.Guided Meditation
Whatever solution you choose, you won't regret learning to relax. Guided meditation is a very pleasant way to de-stress and relax. It is where one person guides another through a peaceful relaxing journey to resolve issues or problems. The journey is in the mind, brought to life by the listeners imagination and the experienced, soothing voice of the guide.
www.guided-imagery-downloads.com has many different meditation and relaxation downloads available, there's even some guided journeys for children
Relaxation and Meditation Advice
Relaxation Techniques
I know that if I were to find the perfect relaxation techniques I would make a fortune sharing them with others. There are many who have had some great ideas, and have had these ideas published in various places, but it would seem that no one has struck gold yet. I know that the people around me seem to be more and more stressed as time goes along. They have tried many relaxation techniques only to find that nothing works for them. There are many different things you can try, but you may have to search for a while before you find something that works for you.
Some of the most common relaxation techniques out there are exercise. Some people like to take yoga classes or they like to do it at home. Though yoga is considered a form of exercise, it is also considered one of the more favored relaxation techniques. Some people skip yoga and use traditional exercise when trying to relax. Though this may seem counterproductive, I do know that there is a sense of peace and relaxation you get after you have completed a rigorous workout. Exercise fills your body with feel-good hormones that may carry you through the rest of your day.
Other relaxation techniques that people try are things like meditation and chanting. Some people find that the simplest way to clear their mind and to get rid of their stress is to take the problems from their mind and put them somewhere else. These types of relaxation techniques have never worked for me. I am one of those people that has to deal with the problem at hand as soon as I possibly can. I could try to meditate and put the problem aside for later, but for some reason this never works. I find that I relax much better if I face the problem head-on and do with it directly.
You may be confused if you are considering one of the many different relaxation techniques out there. You have to take a look at your life and what is causing your stress, to decide what kind of techniques you would like to try first. It may be a matter of trial and error for you. Some relaxation techniques will work for some people, while some will leave others feeling cold. Write down all of your ideas and move through your list one at a time. This may help you find a relaxation techniques that work best for you and your lifestyle.
An Overview Of Stress and Stress Relief
The topic of stress relief has been the object of controversy in recent decades due to the various ways to administer it. There
are different ways for different cultures. Where the Hindus have yoga the Japanese have Zen. Both of these methods are excellent
in relieving stress. There are many types of yoga and this practice includes stretching of the muscles and various positions to relax
each body part. Meditation and concentration for each movement will eventually with continued effort give you a youthful glow and
allow you to keep stress levels at a minimum. Zen, on the other, hand is a style focusing on more of the meditation. Zen is a more
philosophical approach to stress relief and really works if practiced on a regular schedule.
Other ways to relieve stress include deep breathing exercises, light physical exercise, reading, getting out into nature, the calming effects of light music; each individual has their own method. Some may prefer bingo or bowling while another may choose baking or smoking a cigarette. Whatever the choice, there are certain consequences. For instance, if you choose to smoke to relieve your stress it may not be the best solution and could result in a health risk. Other ways to relieve stress are acupuncture and hypnosis. These must only be done by a professional. To locate a professional simply use the internet or it's as easy as your phone book under physicians or alternative medicine.
When you decide that relieving your stress level is what has to be done, consult your doctor. He or she will be able to determine whether your chosen method will be the best for you, and any adverse effects will then be discussed. Your physician may prescribe medication for you if you are at a risk for other problems. The problem about Stress relief is to not do anything at all. Some people are not aware they are at risk for problems such as heart attack and stroke.
You can also look to different types of therapy in order to help you reduce your stress levels as well. It is very easy to maintain
a relaxed mind and body if you just have the tools and knowledge. We all have to deal with life's every day stresses but they don't
have to destroy our lives. Being able to control our stress levels is important to our overall body health. Making some time for
yourself that is quiet and free from things like your children or your spouse is very important because just because we love the
people in our lives; they often cause a lot of our stress.
Article by - By Abbas Abedi - Visit his blog web site- Stress
Test
The Unrelaxers - Stress Relief
We've all got favourite ways of relaxing, but some are more effective than others and some aren't really relaxing at all. Let's be honest - flopping in front of the television can be just the job after a day spent running after children and speeding around the shops. But edge-of-the-seat game shows and horror films can leave your heart pounding like a woodpecker. And if you've spent an equally tiring day sitting at a desk, more sitting is just what you don't need
For many, a coffee or cigarette break is the only chance they get to stop working. But caffeine and nicotine are stimulants, not relaxers. The short break is actually to 'unrelax', to take chemicals on board that will help you stay alert a bit longer. However, they do the same when you've finished work, and are trying to wind down. They are addictive, so having one is a relief because it stops the craving. But while sitting down to a familiar ritual can be relaxing in itself - the caffeine and nicotine whizzing round your bloodstream keep everything hyped up (and even tea contains some caffeine) - herbal teas, or the beverages sold in health food shops, are a better bet for relaxing.
Alcohol is famous for helping people relax - often more than they intended to. But though it can ease stress, unknot tense muscles and bring on sleep, the benefits are only temporary - you'll breathe shallowly and wake up early. Beware, too, if you start finding that you can't relax without it. Not all drugs are equal, of course. A drink or a couple of coffees a day shouldn't do any harm unless you're pregnant or have been warned off them by you doctor. Some researchers even recommend a glass of wine a day to keep the heart healthy. Tobacco, on the other hand, offers no benefits of any kind. It's harmful even in small amounts and - never mind dying young - causes more boring, painful, totally avoidable ill-health than anything else in the Western world. Relaxing with a cigarette is like trying to sleep on a bed of nails - it causes stressful reactions such as speeding your heart, so the body can't relax deeply. It's expensive too, saving the cost of a packet of cigarettes a day will pay for a genuinely relaxing weekly treat. If you're worried about putting on weight, healthy eating and exercise will keep it off.
Overeating is another false friend when you're under stress. Don't feel guilty, just find more helpful ways of being kind to yourself when you need it. Tranquillizers may seem the only answer when you're desperate, but these addictive drugs only help for a short time, if at all. After that, they cause more damage than they could have ever have cured. If you're at the end of your tether, ring the Samaritans - listed in your local phone book - or ask your doctor to refer you for counseling or to put you in touch with one of the self-help groups set up by fellow-sufferers for all kinds of problems. These can also give sympathetic, practical advice if you're already hooked and need help coming off.
Standing Up To Stress
When something makes you feel stressed, there are three ways of reacting:
1. Changing things outside, by taking action to solve the problem
2. Change things inside, by accepting what's happening and coming to terms with it.
3. Do neither, and worry helplessly.
Needless to say, the
first course of action is best, whether it's joining an environmental action group or refusing to clean up after everyone. Some things can't
be changed so, option 2, you simply have to live with them - any energy you put into resenting them is wasted. Often, though, you can compromise
with a mixture of 1 and 2. Take money, for example - that prime source of worry. You can try to earn more or spend less. Cut up credit cards
and find new pleasures that don't cost anything, until the wheel of fortune turns back in you favour. Contact anyone whom you owe money (especially
if they own your home) and arrange to pay in manageable installments. Take whatever steps you can to protect yourself and your family, stay
out of any more debt, look after your health, learn new skills that could earn extra cash. And then stop worrying. Hand to do, yes, but not
impossible. Meditation and breathing techniques are a big help here, creating a feeling of peace and calmness. And like any exercise, they
get easier the more you practice.
Worry is worse than useless - its paralysing effects stop people doing anything constructive. It stops you enjoying what you've got. And it can cause a host of problems of its own, such as phobias and panic attacks. Learning to relax clears the mind and frees up energy, making it easier to find solutions. The only answer is: * Relax * Think what to do * Do it * Get on with your life
Keep Worries In their Place
If you can't stop fretting over a problem: * Make an appointment with it. Every afternoon, say, from 2.15 to 2.30, settle down and worry about it. Give it your full attention and get as upset as you need to. No, honestly - try it. If you don't feel comfortable sitting down to it, do it while you're ironing. But only for fifteen minutes - set a timer and stop when it buzzes. When you catch yourself worrying at other times, stop at once - but promise yourself you've only got to wait till 2.15. * Wash it away. Worry to your heart's content while you're washing up or cleaning floors - but only then - and throw your worries out with the dirty water. * Write it down. The whole dreadful story, and all the awful things that could happen. Then burn it or tear it into tiny pieces. The same where you're angry - write a steaming letter to the person who's upset you, then make sure you destroy it. Just don't send it!About the Author - Laura Mastif has been studying the causes of stress and how to prevent them for the past 5 years in London, England. Full information on the subject is available from her web site.http://www.stressrelief.healingscent.co.uk
