Relaxation

Relaxation is allowing physical and/or mental tension to be released.  Tension is the body's natural response to threat, part of the body's alarm or survival mechanism.  It can be a very useful response, but a lot of the time, we don't need this tension, so it's okay to learn to let it go, and learn some relaxation skills. Healthy living is a matter of balance.  Relaxation is part of the balancing process alongside other aspects of your lifestyle such as what you eat, your physical activity and how you handle stress.    Learning to relax takes practice, as with learning any new skill. It’s a great help to learn a relaxation technique, to help us unwind and bring our tensions and anxiety under control.  There are several books, leaflets or audio recordings which we can use ourselves.   It’s a good idea to practise regularly so we can be more prepared for the more stressful times. How relaxation helps Reduces tiredness – if you can manage everyday life without excessive tension Improves performance – your performance in work, sport or music can be raised through self awareness and control of tension Reduces pain – pain can occur as a result of tension e.g. headaches and backache.  Relaxation can help you to cope by raising your pain threshold and reducing the amount of pain Coping with stress – relaxation helps you to reduce the effects of stress and to breathe effectively Improves sleep – by allowing you to be calm and peaceful Improves self-confidence – by increasing your self-awareness and ability to cope with daily life Improves personal relationships – it is easier to relate well to other people when you are relaxed and self-confident Relaxation and stress When we feel anxious or stressed, it's our body's natural response to feeling threatened, the alarm system which helps us deal with danger:  our breathing rate increases,  as does our blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, sweating, state of mental arousal and adrenaline flow.  A lot of the time, we don't need those survival responses, so relaxation helps to decrease that adrenaline response, to let it go. Breathing and Relaxation Our out-breath releases tension in the chest muscles and allows all muscles to release their tension more easily.    Breathing is far more effective when we use our diaphragms, rather than with the chest muscles.  Sit comfortably in a chair and place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen (hand on navel).  Take two or three fairly large breaths – which hand moves first and which moves most?  Practise so that it is the lower hand on your abdomen that moves rather than the one on your chest.  People often think that their tummy goes in when they breathe in - but the reverse should be the case. When you’re feeling tense or hoping to relax, try breathing out a little bit more slowly and more deeply, noticing a short pause before the in-breath takes over (don’t exaggerate the in-breath, just let it happen).  You might find it useful to count slowly or prolong a word such as “one” or “peace” to help elongate the out-breath a little (to yourself or out loud). There are various ways in which to achieve relaxation, most use breath control in some way.   Whichever method you choose, regular practice will help.  Some examples are: Progressive Muscle Relaxation – tense/relax muscular relaxation Meditation Mindfulness Guided Imagery or Visualisation Autogenic Training – mental exercises to link body and mind to bring about relaxation Alexander Technique – teaches the importance of posture, which improves mental and physical wellbeing. Bio Feedback – self-regulation of bodily functions, e.g. Slowing heart rate Massage Aromatherapy Physical Activity Tai Chi Yoga Music (music is very personal, so use whatever helps you relax) either used alone, or with any of the above methods Simple Breathing Exercise We’ll start with a simple breathing exercise which can be done in a few seconds, no matter where you are.  It is particularly helpful at stressful times, but it’s also useful to do it at regular intervals throughout the day. Take a deep, slow breath in and hold it for 5 seconds.  Feel your abdomen expand as you do this. Breathe out slowly, to a count of 5.  Breathe in again, make every breath slow and steady and exactly the same as the one before it and the one after it.  As you breathe out, concentrate on expelling ALL the air in your lungs.  If you’re alone, you could make a noise like “whoo” as you do this to help you feel the air being let out.  Keep the outbreath going for as long as you can.  Keep it relaxed for a few seconds before you inhale again. Quickie Relaxation Wherever you are (e.g. in the car, supermarket, awaiting appointment etc) STOP SHOULDERS DOWN TAKE 2 OR 3 SLIGHTLY SLOWER, SLIGHTLY DEEPER OUT-BREATHS (just let the in-breath happen) CARRY ON WITH WHATEVER YOU WERE DOING, BUT JUST A LITTLE SLOWER Colour Breathing For a fast and effective calming technique in a stressful situation, visualise the colour blue.  Visualise breathing in that blue calm, and breathing out red tension. Before any other relaxation exercise Before any relaxation exercise, go to the toilet if you need to, and wear loose comfortable clothing.   Lie or sit somewhere with the whole of your body supported. Make yourself totally comfortable.  Close your eyes. Progressive muscle Reaxation v   Sit in a comfortable chair ( or lie on the floor, or on a bed).  Ensure you will not be disturbed by other noises.  If you become aware of sounds - just try to ignore them and let them leave your mind just as soon as they enter.  Make sure the whole of your body is comfortably supported - including your arms, head and feet.  (Rest your arms on the arms of the chair, with your feet flat on the floor - if sitting!) Close your eyes.  Feel the chair supporting your whole body - your legs, your arms, your head.  If you can feel any tension, begin to let it go.  Take 2 slow and deep breaths, and let the tension begin to flow out. Become aware of your head - notice how your forehead feels.  Let any tension go and feel your forehead become smooth and wide.  Let any tension go from around your eyes, your mouth, your cheeks and your jaw.  Let your teeth part slightly and feel the tension go. Now focus on your neck - let the chair take the weight of your head and feel your neck relax.   Now your head is feeling heavy and floppy.  Let your shoulders lower gently down.  Your shoulders are wider, your neck is longer.  Notice how your body feels as you begin to relax. Be aware of your arms and your hands.  Let them sink down into the chair.  Now they are feeling heavy and limp. Think about your back - from your neck to your hips.  Let the tension go and feel yourself sinking down into the chair.  Let your hips, your legs and your feet relax and roll outwards.  Notice the feeling of relaxation taking over. Think about your breathing - your abdomen gently rising and falling as you breathe.  Let your next breath be a little deeper, a little slower... Now, you are feeling completely relaxed and heavy. …. Lie still and concentrate on slow, rhythmic breathing….  When you want to count back from 5 to 1 and open your eyes.  Wiggle your fingers and toes, breathe deeply and stretch.  Pause before gently rising.

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