Stress Reducing Relaxation Techniques The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on bringing you great content, tips and guidance on managing and coping with stress, physical or mental. We will ensure that the articles on managing stress are totally relevant to theme of this website and can truly help you to enhance your lifestyle. However, if you feel that we need to include more material and other articles on managing stress, mental or physical or you wish to submit an article yourself, Contact Us Here. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.

Being able to relax is of paramount importance in reducing the pressures of stress. By using relaxation techniques you can diffuse some of your built up stress before it accumulates. Tension is stress that is manifested in your body. Some signs are tension headaches, neck and back pain, stomach pains, and muscle spasms, to name just a few. The fact is, many of us are so used to living with tension that we don't think we have any. If you completed the stress diary earlier in this series you have already seen many areas that give you stress, many you probably didn't even realize. Relaxation is important as both a quick way to relieve tension and as a permanent solution to keep stress at bay. There are many relaxation techniques, so find one or two that fit into your lifestyle and work them into your daily routine. All I ask is that you keep an open mind, try some of the ideas, and you may be pleasantly surprised... Here are a few ideas to get you started: Bubble Bath Massage Foot Rub Stretching Yoga Sex Meditation Listening to Music Chiropractor Acupuncture Take a Walk Exercise Aromatherapy Visualization Hobbies Let's look at some of these stress reducing relaxation techniques in more detail... YOGA There are several types of Yoga. The basics of Yoga, however, are the same. Exercise through guided methodical movements and steady breathing. Basic Yoga positions can be very helpful for both proper breathing and posture. And Yoga is very relaxing. If you can incorporate some Yoga into your daily routine, you are sure to reduce your stress level greatly. Pick a specific time of day to do your Yoga exercises. Some people find it best to do Yoga in the early morning, upon waking, because they get energy from the workout. Others prefer to do Yoga in the evening as a relaxation technique before bed. Either way, the exercises are great and once learned can be improvised so some can be done even at your desk at work! Get yourself a good Yoga DVD or CD with relaxing music. Follow along several times. Don't worry if you can't do all the exercises well at first. Your flexibility and stamina will increase as time goes on but your relaxation will improve immediately. Yoga works on training your breathing which is important to your total well-being. RELAXATION EXERCISE This exercise will prepare you for meditation. Sit on the floor in a cross-legged position or in a straight-back chair. Breathe slowly and deeply. Now starting at your head, tell yourself aloud that you are relaxing. Repeat this to yourself: "My neck is relaxed." Then, "The muscles in my shoulders are relaxing" and so on down your body. Talk slowly, take your time. Finally, tell yourself your mind is calm and relaxed. Your whole body is calm. Your mind is alert and awake. EXERCISE Exercise of all types will help to relax the mind. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, a natural feel-good chemical. This automatically counteracts stress hormones. The more aerobic an exercise is the more endorphins will be produced. However, you should choose an exercise program that is geared towards your age and abilities. Walking is a great way to start exercising. Start by walking smaller distances and work up to longer ones. Park further away at stores, choose the stairs rather than the escalator, or walk to the local store instead of drive. Take a stroll around your neighborhood. Then, come up with an exercise plan you can stick to. Start small and work up to longer and more strenuous activities. You may even want to join a gym or get a personal trainer. Before starting any new exercise plan, you should consult with your doctor. AROMATHERAPY Aromatherapy is the use of scents to calm the body and mind. The scents are essential oils that come from plants. Different plants produce essential oils that have different effects. Lavender is the most common of the relaxing scents. You can find many products that have a lavender scent. Essential oils that calm nervous tension and anxiety are ylang ylang, jasmine, bergamot, rose, sandalwood and geranium. Put a drop or two of the essential oil on a cloth or massage into the forehead. Essential oils can also be used in the bath or as massage oils. These oils can be found at health food stores or at natural food markets. PAMPER YOURSELF After a stressful week, take some time for yourself. Plan about an hour without the kids or the phone and have your own at-home spa. Run a hot bath. Make the water as hot as possible. Use bubble bath and pour some drops of a relaxing essential oil into the water. Light some candles. Get some cucumber slices and place them over your closed eyelids while you soak in the tub. Try not to let your mind race, but instead, try to clear your mind of all thoughts. After you've soaked for awhile, drain the tub and run a cool shower. The cool water after the hot bath will help refresh you. Your stress has now been well and truly soaked away. Please remember, if you feel that we need to include more material and other articles on managing, controlling or coping with stress related topics or you wish to submit an article yourself, Contact Us Here. Return From Stress Reducing Relaxation Techniques to Articles On Stress