Learn to relax your way to stress relief

Learning a simple relaxation technique can really help you to manage stress.

Relaxation helps you deal with the stress you’re already experiencing and helps ensure you avoid dangerous levels of stress in the future. You may believe relaxing is just collapsing on the sofa watching your favorite TV program.

That may help – but your mind can still be full of worries. For effective relaxation you need to clear your mind of anxiety. You need to learn how to do this effectively and you need to practise.

If practising how to relax seems a bit strange then try the following relaxation technique which works for a lot of different people:

• Lie down or sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet and undisturbed space with your eyes closed
• Tense each part of your body and then allow it to relax and empty your mind of all thought
• If thoughts come into your mind just listen to your breathing and focus on breathing in and out
• Visualize a scene of peace and serenity with yourself as part of it

You can adapt this technique to make it personal to you or use another that works better. Whatever relaxation technique you choose you need to practice it even when you’re not feeling particularly stressed.

Get into the habit of having a regular relaxation session using your chosen technique. As part of the relaxation session use a set process so you develop a set of signals which tell your mind: “I am now going to relax..”

For example – you may choose a certain sofa to lie on, take off your shoes and place them in the same spot, use the same special cushion for your head, play the same piece of music, light a candle which you only use for relaxation – you get the picture.

By practising relaxation when you aren’t feeling stressed and using the same process over and over – you train your mind and body to relax in response to key these key signals.

Whatever set of signals you use – always repeat them in the same order for your relaxation session. Then when you need to use relaxation as a coping strategy for stress – just follow the set steps and you will be able to relax much more easily despite the stress you are feeling.

This relaxation technique is a classic coping strategy for stress – using simple steps like this helps to diffuse the feeling of stress which otherwise can be harmful to your health and your looks.

Related articles:

• How to cope with stress