Practicing relaxation is paramount to managing stress. When we relax, the flow of blood increases around our body
+ giving us more energy.
+ It helps us to have a calmer and clearer mind which aids positive thinking, concentration, memory and decision
+ making.
+ Relaxation slows our heart rate, reduces our blood pressure and relieves tension.
+ It also aids digestion as we absorb essential nutrients more efficiently when relaxed, which helps to fight off
+ disease and infection.
+ There are many relaxation techniques, here we will explain the ones that you can do in a few minutes anywhere.
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Visualisation Exercise
+
This exercise involves using an image as a way to focus the mind. Create in your mind an ideal spot to relax.
+ It can be:
+
- real or imaginary
+
- somewhere you will find restful, calming, safe and happy
+
- a place you would want to return to whenever you feel the need to relax
+ Imagine it in as much detail as you can use your senses to make it
+ as real as possible and see yourself comfortably enjoying this place.
+
+ Now close your eyes and take a slow, regular breath in through your nose. Become aware of your breathing. Focus on
+ your relaxation place in all its detail and breathe out through your mouth.
+ Do this exercise for 10 to 20 minutes.
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+
Muscle Relaxation
+
This exercise will teach you to recognise and reduce muscle tension. You can relieve tension in any part of your
+ body just by tensing and relaxing each muscle in turn. Sitting in a comfortable chair:
+ 1 Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Slowly breath in through your nose and out through your
+ mouth.
+ 2 Make a fist, squeezing your hand tightly.
+ 3 Hold this for a few seconds, noticing the tension.
+ 4 Slowly open your fingers and feel the difference notice the tension leaving. Your hand is much lighter and
+ relaxed. Enjoy this feeling.
+
If you have any physical injuries or conditions that may cause muscle pain, don't tense the muscle in that area.
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Breathing to Relax
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Breathing too quickly, and deeply, can make you feel dizzy, faint or even more anxious.
+ Taking slow, regular breaths can help you to control anxious thoughts and feelings, and make you feel calmer.
+ To control your breathing:
+ 1 Place one hand on your chest and the other over your stomach. You want your stomach to move more than your
+ chest as you breathe.
+ 2 Take a slow, regular breath in (through your nose if you can). Watch your hands as you breathe in. The hand on
+ your stomach should move and your chest should not.
+ 3 Breathe out slowly through pursed lips.
+ 4 Repeat this 10 times, twice a day.
+
It might take time to master this technique. Once you have, you won't need to watch your hands or put them on
+ your stomach.
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+
If you have time, you should read more about Tibetan Singing Bowls
+
+ Verry well entry
+