Relaxation Techniques
to Reduce  Stress

Relaxation techniques are wonderful stress management strategies to reduce the negative impact of stress on your health. If you are like many women, you may experience built-up tension as a result of your hectic schedule which demands more time than you have available.  Yet, it is very important that you learn to relax and lower your stress. Take a break to rejuvenate your energy.  It might be creating your own spa-day experience as a special treat or on a daily basis taking time for quiet meditation, practicing yoga or listening to soothing music.

Relaxation techniques are effective ways to manage stress and calm a stressful lifestyle.  The techniques we are highlighting in this article can be included in your daily routine.  Another strategy for relieving stress is to take a break completely and take a vacation away from your daily routines. 

Sometimes we put off taking care of ourselves because of too many commitments.   Extra money may be scarce. But you need to build in time to clear your head at least annually if you can.  Stay-cation or Vacation.  Just do it!

What about day to day stress management?  On a daily basis taking a break from your work is a healthy way to handle accumulating stress.  The following relaxation techniques are widely practiced.  Read about them and try them out to see what you like.  See what works well for you.

 Healthy Relaxation Techniques 

Meditation

Meditation helps you to clear your thoughts away from the daily events and calm your body system without much effort, other than some time for solitude. Choose a simple, pleasant word that reminds you of being peaceful such as calm, ah, or slow.   Take a deep breath by inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth. Think of your word as your exhale. 

You can focus on the word as you exhale, you can shift your attention to the breathing and the activity rather than the responsibilities that may be causing you stress.  Practicing this technique for 10-20 minutes each day can provide much needed stress relief.

If you find that you do not have time to devote to this activity on a regular basis,  we suggest a different technique that takes 20 seconds.  Visualize a favorite place you enjoy visiting to relax.  Think of two words that capture the relaxing aspects. If your relaxing place is a beach, perhaps the sounds of the waves, or the smell of the ocean, or the warmth of the sun are what you remember most.
During the day, there are many things you do on a repetitive basis, such as stopping one task and starting another.  Take a few seconds to relax and calm your body by saying your chosen 2-3 relaxation words as you exhale. Repeat this twice. Many women find this is an easier relaxation technique to incorporate into their lifestyle.

Yoga

People have been practicing yoga for over 3000 years. The activity is based on an ancient Indian spiritual disciplne and includes a series of body stretching poses. Initially, the practice of yoga emphasized the physical exercises and de-emphasized the spiritual and mental disciplines. Yoga is considered one of the most popular of the many relaxation techniques.

If you have never tried yoga before, the lotus position is a good starting point. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your right knee and gently place your right foot on our left knee. Now bend your left knee and place your left foot on your right knee. If you feel uncomfortable, keep one foot on the ground. Now place your wrists on your knees, palms facing up. Touch your middle fingers with your thumbs.

As you practice yoga include other breathing and relaxation techniques to improve your use of deep breathing. Start to focus your attention on your regular and steady breathing patterns. If you are interested in learning more about this relaxation technique, visit YogaDownload.com and download some of their video programs. Also, visit The Yoga Learning Center website. With streaming yoga video and audio exercise materials you can practice anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Music

Music is so transportable now, that there really is no reason you can include this example of relaxation techniques into your daily routine. With IPods and Smart Phones, you can download music to relate to any mood you may be experiencing. It can be very calming during a stressful day.

You may find that listening to calming sounds acts as a way to bring calm into your stressful day.  Try these examples.

Aromatherapy

If you are working in a building with limited air flow, using essential oils in a diffuser or spritzing with a spray bottle not only clears the air, it also works to relieve your tension and stress. Read the article written by Kyley Zimmerman to learn more examples of natural aromatherapy stress remedies to explain the many benefits that aromatherapy can offer to greatly reduce stress and help create a sense of calmness in our lives. There are many easy aromatherapy recipes that you can try and find one that is just right to soothe away the tensions of the day!

Wildflowers Aromatherapy and Gifts is another website with a different assortment of products that enhance relaxation techniques you are practicing. The body wraps, spa wraps, warming blankets, stress mister and the famous warm-up animals, help you relax and help provide stress relief.

Enjoying a Hobby is a Great Way to Relieve Stress

Great Stress Reducers to Calm a Hectic Life Style

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