Progressive Relaxation

If you're looking for a drug free way to relax before, after, or during a particularly stressful day, you can benefit from the process of progressive relaxation. Assuming you have no other medical problems that might hinder you in using these relaxation methods, you can easily do this anytime, anywhere.

Progressive relaxation is one of the first relaxation techniques that are taught by many therapist and relaxation specialists. It involves two steps of tensing your muscles and then releasing them to begin to physically feel soothed and calm. To practice these relaxation methods, you simply need to:

• Find a quiet place where you can be uninterrupted
• Get into a position where you will be comfortable to stay in that position for a while - i.e. lying down or sitting
• Close your eyes and breathe in and out to release any stress that you may be feeling
• Start by tensing the muscles in your feet first and then releasing them, noting the relaxation that you feel after these relaxation techniques
• Move slowly up your body to various other parts of your body, tensing and then releasing the muscle to begin to feel a sense of overall calm

Even if you have troubles feeling the muscle tense, focusing on each part of your body in these relaxation methods will help you to feel the release of tension.

You can practice this method at any time of day. Many people find these relaxation techniques most helpful when you are trying to fall asleep, so progressive relaxation right before bed can be helpful for those that suffer from insomnia.

Progressive relaxation works because it helps the body focus on where tense spots may be in order to find out where you might be holding your stress. And in learning these relaxation training methods, you will be able to find out where your body likes to hold stress and then immediately do something about it.

Other situations where this exercise can work: airplanes, when you're at your desk, when you're sitting outside, etc.

Many people enjoy these kinds of relaxation methods because you can do them anywhere, without any special equipment. If you feel more comfortable using a relaxation tape that guides you from one muscle group to the next, this can be helpful. Or you can tape your own voice instructing you to move for one muscle group to the next.

If you would like help deciding which of our relaxation training services might be best for you, please contact The 4th R on 020-8974-8974, or read about how the Functional Relaxation System can help you.