November 25, 2010
Relaxation Tips Newsletter
Hello,
I'm Candi, with Inner Health Studio. Welcome to Edition 25 of Inner Health Studio Relaxation Tips.
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In This Issue...
Inner Health Studio Updates and News
New Relaxation Scripts
Tip of the Month: How Relaxation Has Helped Me
Inner Health Studio Updates and News
Until the end of 2010, Inner Health Studio members (who have signed up for free at the Members Only site) can receive one free download from the Self-Help Store using this coupon code: 2010membersfree1download
New Relaxation Scripts
Relaxation During Pregnancy
Relaxation during pregnancy is safe and effective for reducing stress, feeling calm, and increasing comfort. Use relaxation techniques to get rid of nausea, headaches, and pain without medication.
Tip of the Month: How Relaxation Has Helped Me
In this Tip of the Month, I would like to share a bit about my personal experience with relaxation techniques.
I began using relaxation techniques when I was just a child. I had difficulty falling asleep at night, and my Dad explained how to relax to fall asleep. He told me to start at my toes, and focus on relaxing, and move up to my feet...ankles...legs...and so on, all the way to the top of my head.
My Dad described that when an area is relaxed, it feels different. As soon as the part I focused on felt different and no longer tense, I would focus on the next part. Almost every time I used this technique (which I later learned is called passive progressive muscle relaxation), I would be asleep before the relaxation reached the top of my head.
Years later when I trained to become an occupational therapist, I learned more about relaxation techniques and the benefits of relaxation for decreasing stress, reducing pain, and improving health. Early in my occupational therapy career, colleagues taught me about the use of relaxation techniques with cardiac patients to prevent future heart attacks.
When I began working in mental health, a colleague taught me even more about relaxation techniques and about using relaxation with groups. I discovered further benefits of relaxation for decreasing anxiety, improving concentration, and improving mood.
The more I learn about the benefits of relaxation, the more often I use relaxation techniques. I use quick relaxation techniques (like deep breathing) every day, and I use guided relaxation (listening to recorded audio) a few times per week. My favorite techniques are guided imagery, visualization, and passive progressive muscle relaxation.
How Relaxation Has Helped Me
Some of the benefits I personally have experienced from using relaxation techniques:
- I fall asleep more easily at night and feel more alert when I wake up in the morning
- Decreased stress symptoms day-to-day (less muscle tension, fewer headaches)
- I can relax and calm myself more quickly in stressful situations
- I can get rid of stress symptoms, such as headaches, by using relaxation techniques
Want to know more about others' personal experiences with relaxation? Read one person's story here: Relaxation...One Year Later
How has relaxation helped you? Please share your story!