Stress and the effects of it can wreak havoc on your body both physically and mentally. Relaxation is the key to reducing the effects of excess stress. Reduce or minimize those effects, and you’ll be on your way to feeling better soon. Here are some Stress-Busting ideas that will help.
1. Get an extra massage. When you relax during a massage, you let go of muscle tension, worry and mental confusion. This may be one of the few times you slow down and notice what it feels like to relax. This actually helps you program yourself to tune into those feelings and encourage your body and mind to let go of stress and tension.
2. Practice focused relaxation. Sit comfortably or lie down with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Support your neck with a pillow if you prefer. Scan your body, noticing where you feel tension or discomfort. Breathe slowly into these areas. Imagine relaxation flooding into the areas of discomfort. Begin by practicing ten minutes once a day.
3. Meditate. You will probably have a better chance of sticking with a technique you learn in a class or other group, but in the meantime, try this: Silently repeat a word that has little emotional meaning for you, such as “one.” Give it your full attention. When other thoughts or images come into your mind, ignore them and return your focus to the unspoken word. Don’t strain or try too hard. Simply let your mind keep coming back to your chosen word again and again as thoughts pass through your mind.
4. Practice abdominal breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose. Exhale completely, squeezing the belly tight. Begin by practicing for 5 minutes at a time. Try it when you feel anxious or can’t sleep.
5. Soak in a hot bath. Add several drops of essential oils like lavender or ylang-ylang for relaxation to your bath water. Don’t have time for a full bath? Try soaking your feet in Epsom salts and/or the essential oils mentioned above and you will feel the tension melt away.
6. Try biofeedback. A professional biofeedback practitioner can help you develop self-regulation over the mental and physical processes that are associated with stress-related disorders.
7. Take a nap, even if it’s only for ten minutes.
8. Take a warm shower. As the water rushes around your neck, drop your neck forward and stretch it from side to side. Then circle your shoulders slowly under the hot water.
9. Try autosuggestion. Frequently repeat a suggestion to yourself such as “Shoulders free” or “Neck relaxed.” Repeat the suggestion, but don’t strain or do anything at all but say the phrase. This becomes a subtle reminder to you that will help support muscle relaxation.
10. Take a yoga class. Many people find that yoga increases relaxation and relieves many of the effects of stress.
Meridian Healing Therapies practitioners not only are experts at massage, we can also help you to tune into your body's signals. We can help you to be more aware of how your body is holding stress as we work on releasing that excess tension. To see how helpful a Meridian Massage can be, contact us today to learn more.
1. Get an extra massage. When you relax during a massage, you let go of muscle tension, worry and mental confusion. This may be one of the few times you slow down and notice what it feels like to relax. This actually helps you program yourself to tune into those feelings and encourage your body and mind to let go of stress and tension.
2. Practice focused relaxation. Sit comfortably or lie down with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Support your neck with a pillow if you prefer. Scan your body, noticing where you feel tension or discomfort. Breathe slowly into these areas. Imagine relaxation flooding into the areas of discomfort. Begin by practicing ten minutes once a day.
3. Meditate. You will probably have a better chance of sticking with a technique you learn in a class or other group, but in the meantime, try this: Silently repeat a word that has little emotional meaning for you, such as “one.” Give it your full attention. When other thoughts or images come into your mind, ignore them and return your focus to the unspoken word. Don’t strain or try too hard. Simply let your mind keep coming back to your chosen word again and again as thoughts pass through your mind.
4. Practice abdominal breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose. Exhale completely, squeezing the belly tight. Begin by practicing for 5 minutes at a time. Try it when you feel anxious or can’t sleep.
5. Soak in a hot bath. Add several drops of essential oils like lavender or ylang-ylang for relaxation to your bath water. Don’t have time for a full bath? Try soaking your feet in Epsom salts and/or the essential oils mentioned above and you will feel the tension melt away.
6. Try biofeedback. A professional biofeedback practitioner can help you develop self-regulation over the mental and physical processes that are associated with stress-related disorders.
7. Take a nap, even if it’s only for ten minutes.
8. Take a warm shower. As the water rushes around your neck, drop your neck forward and stretch it from side to side. Then circle your shoulders slowly under the hot water.
9. Try autosuggestion. Frequently repeat a suggestion to yourself such as “Shoulders free” or “Neck relaxed.” Repeat the suggestion, but don’t strain or do anything at all but say the phrase. This becomes a subtle reminder to you that will help support muscle relaxation.
10. Take a yoga class. Many people find that yoga increases relaxation and relieves many of the effects of stress.
Meridian Healing Therapies practitioners not only are experts at massage, we can also help you to tune into your body's signals. We can help you to be more aware of how your body is holding stress as we work on releasing that excess tension. To see how helpful a Meridian Massage can be, contact us today to learn more.
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