Instant Relaxation Exercises

If you've gotten to the point where stress is killing you (and even if it's not), a few instant relaxation exercises could come in very handy!

Of course, managing stress in your life means balancing your life with pleasurable, relaxing activities to counteract negativity and stress. It sure doesn't do anyone any good to keep it all bottled up until it boils up and blows your head right off! It's messy too.

Stress is a part of life whether it's positive stress or negative stress. An example of positive stress could come from the challenge of playing a game. Negative stress could come from working at a job you don't enjoy.

Especially with negative stress, it's essential to have some things to do that act as a "pressure relief valve." Here are a few suggestions for some instant relaxation exercises to help you.

1. Go take a walk
   Get out and look around at things in your environment. Stress tends to draw our attention inward, so this instant relaxation exercise will go a long way towards "chilling you out." This is nice to do with your mate or family or by yourself, whatever is most relaxing for you. Don't walk with your head down, thinking about the things that are stressing you out! Look around at your environment and do this until you feel refreshed. If you're stuck inside, at least find a window and look out for a few minutes.
2. Laugh!
   Laughing is probably the most instant relaxation exercise and stress buster of all. We all find different things funny, so whatever makes you laugh, keep those things easy to access and refer to them when you need to distress. For example, I found some Steve Martin clips on YouTube and boy, they get me rolling!
3. Smile
   This is deceptively effective and very simple. It's fantastic as an instant relaxation exercise and doing it may very well cause you to start laughing! Just smile and keep on smiling at least until you feel more relaxed. Try this out for yourself and see what happens!
4. Close your eyes and take a few deep, natural breaths
   When you experience stress, your muscles tense up and your breathing becomes more shallow and rapid. This can increase tension even more and reduces the amount of oxygen you're taking into your lungs, which your body needs to create energy. Breathe naturally and deeply through your nose (breathing through your nose helps you breathe more deeply and is more natural). Try not to force yourself! That will defeat the purpose.
5. Recall a time when you felt good
   Recalling pleasant moments won't necessarily solve the problem that may be causing you stress, but it will help you feel better and more able to deal with it. Try to do this one in a relatively distraction-free place -- go into the bathroom if that's the only quiet place around!

Finding ways to relax to counteract stress is vital to your mental and physical health. The more you practice relaxing yourself, the easier it becomes and the better you will feel.
These instant relaxation exercises can be done practically anywhere and it sure beats the ol' stress monster into submission for awhile!

B. B. Martin is passionate about health education. Her research and writing on the subject began with her own personal need for useful information on improving health.

For more information about stress management and relaxation, visit: http://www.improving-health-and-energy.com/stress-management-and-relaxation.html

Quick Relaxation - Certain Exercises to Help You Relax

These days when there is a lot of stress on individuals to face tough competition and a lot of problems, it is very important to go for self relaxation methods without having to waste much time.

Fortunately, there are several methods available for obtaining quick relaxation. Experts suggest some great exercises that work wonders on a tensed mind and body.

Here are some of the quick relaxation exercises you can choose from:

a) Breathing

Breathing is one of the most important quick relaxation techniques. Here we will focus on the popular two step breathing exercise.

• First, you must fill the bottom of your lungs.

• Now, add the top as you breathe through your nose.

• Breathe out slowly.

• Feel the tension flowing out.

b) Tense-Relax Muscles

These exercises are great to relax muscles that are tensed.

• Focus on and feel the tension of the spot where you feel the tightening.

• Allow the muscle to become limp and loose.

• Feel the flow of relaxation in to the muscle.

c) Body scan

• Scan every muscle in your body briefly from the tips of your toes towards the top of your head.

• When sensing a tight muscle, all you require to do is to allow it to become limp and relaxed.

d) Limp Rag Doll

In this exercise, you need to perform, the 2-step breath at least twice.

• Just imagine that you are a limp rag doll.

• This will help you feel your mind and body getting limp and relaxed.

You may also use any image that you like.

e) Mind Quieting

• Focus on your breathing in order to quiet your mind.

• When you breathe in, say in a slow manner 'I am' to yourself.

• When you breathe out, say 'calm' to yourself slowly.

• Once your mind feels calm, you may try and focus on your breathing exclusively with no thoughts in your mind at all.

f) Shoulders, arms and hands heavy and warm

• All you have to do is to put your mind into your arm, hands and shoulders.

• Now imagine and experience these becoming really heavy, warm and relaxed.

g) Relaxation of mind

As soon as your body is fully relaxed, you would see yourself at a place that provides you the ultimate peace. This place may be a beach, a lonely island or any other peaceful place.

As mentioned in this article, there are several exercises that you can easily choose to provide relaxation to your mind. All you require to do is to follow these exercises and provide strength to your mind.

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