Your body can respond to worrying situations and anxious thoughts with muscle tension. Long-term and constant muscle tension can have all sorts of unpleasant consequences, from crankiness and headaches through to sleeping and heart problems. So, learning relaxation techniques can be a real asset in managing stress and anxiety. They don’t take long!
Different relaxation techniques work better for different people. Here is another relaxation technique for you. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique targeting the symptom of tension associated with anxiety. The exercise involves tensing and releasing muscles, progressing throughout the body, with the focus on the release of the muscle as the relaxation phase. Progressive muscle relaxation can be practiced individually or with the support of a narrator.
- Step One: Sit or lie down comfortably. Ideally, the space will have minimal distractions.
- Step Two: Starting at the feet, curl the toes under and tense the muscles in the foot. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
- Step Three: Tense the muscles in the lower legs. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
- Step Four: Tense the muscles in the hips and buttocks. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
- Step Five: Tense the muscles in the stomach and chest. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
- Step Six: Tense the muscles in the shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
- Step Seven: Tense the muscles in the face (e.g., squeezing eyes shut). Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
- Step Eight: Tense the muscles in the hand, creating a fist. Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly release for 10 seconds. During the release, focus attention on the alleviation of tension and the experience of relaxation.
Note: Be careful not to tense to the point of physical pain, and be mindful to take slow, deep breaths throughout the exercise.
References : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513238/


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