Relaxation Exercises
Here is a radical concept: When stress has you in its grip, make a conscious decision to relax! This may sound pretty obvious, but unless you actually put in the effort to try to block out concerns and anxious thoughts, you won’t be successful at unwinding and de-stressing! Here are just a few exercises that might work for you:
Body Relaxation:
Find a quiet location, free from distractions, where you can sit or recline comfortably. If you are lying down, put a few pillows under your knees.
Take a deep, deep breath in through your nose, and blow it out through your mouth. Repeat this several times with your eyes closed, and begin to listen to the sound of your own breathing. As your breathing becomes normal, with your eyes still closed, simply notice any areas of your body that feel tight, tensed up, or pinched. Concentrate on each area, one at a time, and imagine the tension dissipating into the air as you loosen the tightness in that area by gently shifting, stretching and focusing. Without causing pain, rotate your head and neck in a circular movement. Imagine a beautiful, softly glowing light radiating from within you, until your whole body feels enveloped in warmth.
Visualization:
With your eyes closed, breathe normally, focusing on the sound of your own breathing, as you slow it down ever so slightly. Gently relax your body, as in the first exercise, until you feel like you are in soft focus. Imagine yourself in a beautiful, serene and soothing place. Notice the colors and textures of the foliage around you. Notice how it smells, and how the air around you feels. Notice the sky, and whether or not there are any birds chirping or singing. Is there water nearby? The ocean? A babbling brook, or a waterfall? Listen to the sounds, and let it permeate your senses. Just notice, and let yourself be there for a few moments.
Dance, Dance, Dance!
While physical limitations and pain may prevent you from actually getting up and boogying around the room, it is still very possible for you to find a way dance, and the benefits go beyond relaxation because it energizes you as well. Turn on your favorite upbeat music, and close your eyes. Nod your head to the beat, move your hands and your fingers, let your toes tap. Wiggle, stretch or even just mentally move with the music! If you can stand up and move around, do so to the best of your ability, and let the rhythms of the music transport you to a more positive attitude. Forget what you look like! Just dance!
Eve Reddin Lennon is a Certified Life Coach who specializes in working with people whose lives are affected by life altering illness. Eve is a stroke survivor and has fibromyalgia and lupus. Her mission is to help others learn how to live richly rewarding lives beyond simply coping. For more information, go to http://www.abundant-life-coaching.net/.
