Beat Stress with 3 Easy Relaxation Techniques - By: Jay Benjamin

Living a stress-free life in the modern world is next to impossible. Whether it's brought about by life's daily hassles, such as being late for an appointment, or being stuck in traffic; or more serious events like bereavement or losing your job, stress can have many negative consequences for our mental and physical health. It can cause high blood pressure, problems with sleeping, depression and a whole host of related issues.

There are many relaxation techniques which are very beneficial in reducing tension and stress. Below we list 3 which are easy to learn and perform by yourself, and give great results.

1. Practice Deep Breathing

The average adult takes approximately 15 breaths per minute, or more than 21,000 breaths per day. Unfortunately, very few of us actually breathe efficiently and this is particularly true when we are under stress. When we are anxious we tend to take shallow breaths, only using the top part of our lungs, meaning less oxygen enters the bloodstream. Breathing deeply, using the diaphragm rather than the chest muscles, helps us to relax and provides the body with the oxygen it needs. Here is one deep breathing technique which is very simple to perform:

a. Sit down with your back straight and place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach.
b. Breathe in slowly through your nose while counting up to ten. Push your stomach out while you inhale, rather than your chest - if you are doing it properly, the hand on your chest should stay more or less still, while the hand on your abdomen rises.
c. Hold your breath for a count of five, and then exhale through your mouth while counting to ten.

That's all there is to it! Repeat the process a few times and you should start to feel more relaxed.

2. Take Some Exercise

Many of us hate to hear the 'E' word, but you don't need to visit the gym or lift weights to benefit from exercise. Even if you just take a walk, the physical activity will help to relieve tension and stress. If you do manage to do some more strenuous exercises, then the endorphins released by your body will make you feel good. Exercise can also improve your self-esteem, which will have a knock-on effect in other areas of your life.

3. Try Self-Massage

If you don't have the time or money to visit a professional masseur, then why not try self-massage instead? It's an effective and free alternative which can improve circulation, ease tired muscles and promote a feeling of well-being. You can concentrate on the areas of your body which feel most tense. When we are stressed, it's often the muscles in our necks and shoulders which suffer most. To massage this area, use gentle kneading and circular friction movements. Start with your left hand and work down your right side from your head to your shoulder, repeating several times. Then repeat the process using your right hand on the left side of your neck and shoulders.

The American author Sydney Harris once said: "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it". Our lives can be so busy that it seems impossible for us to take time out to just relax, because we think of it as "doing nothing" when we have a million things to do; whereas in fact setting aside time to be able to practice some relaxation techniques becomes more important the more stressed we are.

About the Author

For more relaxation techniques and information about stress and how to beat it, visit Relax-a-Net.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Jay-Benjamin/62567

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