Q What Are Some Techniques I Can Use to Relax?
Relaxation techniques are usually simple and easy to practice on your own. They help to reduce stress levels and give you a better quality of life. The major relaxation techniques include deep breathing meditation, guided imagery, rhythmic exercise, tai chi and yoga. Deep breathing involves breathing deeply from the abdomen, getting as much fresh air as possible in your lungs. You must sit with a straight back, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. In guided imagery, you visualize a scene that relaxes you such as a beach or a favourite childhood spot. Rhythmic exercise—such as running, walking, rowing, or cycling—is most effective at relieving stress when performed with relaxation in mind. Yoga involves a series of both moving and stationary poses, combined with deep breathing. Apart from reducing anxiety and stress, yoga can also improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. Practiced regularly, it can also strengthen the relaxation response in your daily life; however yoga must only be done with a trained instructor. Tai chi s a self-paced, non-competitive series of slow, flowing body movements. These movements emphasize concentration, relaxation, and the conscious circulation of vital energy throughout the body. Once learnt, you can easily practise this on your own. Ypo may choose any one or a combination of the above techniques for relaxation of the mind and body.