One of the most effective stress relief techniques is a muscle relaxation technique that involves tensing and relaxing muscles in a sequence so that you can gradually work your way around your body and release tension.
For example, you might be asked to clench your left hand into a fist and focus on the tension, and then relax it and then move on to your right hand, your shoulders, your face etc. The idea being that with each tensing and releasing of a muscle group you experience a sense of releasing stress and tension and become more relaxed.
Left unmanaged, stress and tension accumulate in the body throughout the day. You might not notice them at first, but before too long you might find yourself with aching neck and shoulder muscles, or a tension headache.
Notice & Adjust
The trouble with tension is that we tend not to notice it until it hurts! You might not notice that you’re clenching your teeth or jaw until they actually begin to ache. This unnoticed tension can do real damage when it becomes a way of life over weeks, months or years. This is where muscle relaxation exercises can really help. After just a few practice session you will find that you begin to notice tension in your body in it’s very early stages. In other words you can stop tension when it whispers rather than when it shouts at you with a headache. Noticing tension early means you can stop it early with some quick and simple adjustments - a few deep breaths and a stretch will usually do the trick. Far healthier than waiting until you’re in real pain and reaching for a pill.
How Can I Learn Progressive Muscle Relaxation?
There are some good articles and instructions to be found on the internet on progressive muscle relaxation, but by far the quickest and easiest way to learn and get the full relaxing benefits is to have someone talk you through it.
Natural Release is Progressive Muscle Relaxation Stress Relief Download that can get you started in minutes. Simply download and follow along. If you commit to listening at the end of your working day you will notice a reduction in stress and an increase in energy by the end of the first week.
Photo “stretching” by brdavids
More Articles on Stress Relief Techniques you might enjoy:
Stress Relief Techniques: 5 Things I Learned from Spying on Calm People
How to Reduce Stress Using Breath Awareness
How To Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Just 3 Minutes
