Easy Stress Relaxation Techniques for You



Stress relaxation techniques are activities, methods, procedures, or processes that assists a person to relax in order to attain a state of increased calmness, or reduce levels of stress, tension, or anxiety.

People use relaxation techniques for the following reasons:

  • Anger management

  • Anxiety attacks

  • Cardiac health

  • Depression

  • General well-being

  • Headache

  • High blood pressure

  • Immune system support

  • Insomnia

  • Pain management

Some stress relaxation methods are performed alone, whilst others require the assistance of another person. Some techniques involve movement, whilst others focus on stillness, and then of course there are those techniques that require other elements.

Stress relaxation techniques play a huge role in your quest for stress management. It is a process that reduces the wear and tear on your body and mind from the challenges and disturbances of daily life.

Regardless of whether you have stress levels that are spiraling out of control, or whether you have it under control. Learning stress relaxation techniques can certainly benefit you.

It is simple to learn the basic relaxation process, and it is also very often free or low cost, and poses very little risk.

As an individual, you may find that you have so many things to do in your life that stress relief takes a back seat. However, that does mean that you may miss out on the many health benefits that relaxation has to offer.

When practicing stress relaxation techniques, you will find that it can reduce stress symptoms by:

  • Boosting confidence

  • Improving concentration

  • Increasing blood flow

  • Lowering blood pressure

  • Reducing anger and frustration

  • Reducing muscle tension and chronic pain

  • Slowing your breathing rate

  • Slowing your heart rate

Relaxation techniques generally require you to focus your attention on something that is calming. It does not matter which type of relaxation technique you chose to undertake. The important thing is that you try to practice relaxation on a regular basis in order to reap the benefits.

There are various main types of relaxation techniques, including:


Autogenic relaxation

Autogenic signifies something that comes from within you. This technique requires you to use both visual imagery and body awareness in order to reduce your stress levels.

Words or suggestions should be repeated in your mind in order to help you to relax and reduce muscle tension.

Imagine a peaceful place and focus on controlled, relaxing breathing which slows your heart rate.


Progressive muscle relaxation

This technique requires that you focus on slowly tensing and then relaxing each muscle group. This allows you to focus on the difference between muscle tension and relaxation.

One of the methods of progressive muscle relaxation is to begin by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your toes and then working your way throughout your body right up to your neck and head.

Your muscles should be tensed for at least 5 seconds and then relaxed for 30 seconds, and repeated.


Visualization

Mental images are formed in this practice which should take you on a journey to a peaceful place. During visualization you should try to use as many senses as possible, including smell, sight, sound and touch.

For example, if you imagine that you are lying on a beach, think about the smell of the sea air, the sound of crashing waves, and the sun on your body.


Some of the other common techniques for stress relief include:

  • Exercise
  • Hypnosis
  • Listening to music
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Tai Chi
  • Yoga

You will confidently become more aware of muscle tension and other physical sensations of stress once you begin to learn relaxation techniques.

Once you know what the stress response feels like, you will be able to make an effort in practicing a relaxation technique the minute that you begin to feel any signs of stress. By doing this, you can prevent stress from spiraling out of control.

Set aside a time in your daily schedule either once or twice per day. You may find that you can stick to your relaxation practice if you undertake it first thing in the morning, before you do any other task or take on any responsibilities.

Because relaxation techniques can make you feel tired, it is advised not to do them when you are already sleepy and you want to wake up. You will benefit from these techniques when you are fully awake and alert. Or you can use them to go to sleep.

Select a technique that appeals to you. When you choose a relaxation technique, take into consideration your specific needs, preferences, and fitness level. The right relaxation technique for you is the one that fits into your lifestyle.

It is important to remember that stress relaxation techniques are skills; and with any skill it improves with practice. Be patient. Do not allow your effort to practice these wonderful techniques become another stressor in your life.



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