Why Are Stress Relief Techniques so Important?
Stress is the
dark shadow of modern life; it is our constant companion in most of the aspects
of what is called active social behavior. We can even say that stress is
sometimes useful: it gives us focus on problem solving, creativity, and our
survival. But, when stress overwhelms our nervous system, it starts making us
problems. It is the moment when we need to use some of many stress relief
techniques.
Most of stress relief techniques are short and simple,
and only require our full dedication. We’ll present you here two specific ones
that will help you relax and recharge your mental and physical batteries. They
are similar to meditation techniques for beginners.
It is actually a
kind of deep breathing technique. The crucial aspect is to breathe deeply from
the abdomen, receiving as much fresh air for your lungs as possible. With deep
breathing from your abdomen you inhale far more oxygen than it is a case with
the shallow chest breathing. The more oxygen – the more relaxation. This is how
this Stress Relief Technique goes:
• Take your
usual posture keeping your spine straight. Put one hand on your abdomen and the
other one on your chest.
• Breathe deeply
through the nose. The hand on your abdomen should move more than the hand on
your chest.
• Exhale with
your mouth. Push out the whole air with your abdominal muscles. As you exhale,
the hand on abdomen moves in; the other hand should move just slightly.
• Continue
breathing this way as long as you can keep your concentration. You can also
count from 1 to 4 as you exhale and inhale.
That would be
all, no longer than 20-25 minutes. If you feel your abdomen uncomfortable while
sitting, lie on the floor and put some small book on your abdomen, so it should
rises and falls as you breathe.
Stress Relief
Technique 2: Muscle Relaxation
This is a
progressive relaxation technique affecting your muscle systems. The stress
affects not only the mind, but also the body. When your body reliefs so it will
your brain. As most of the muscle relaxation techniques, this one also starts
with your feet. Let’s go:
• Get
comfortable; take off your clothing and shoes.
• Have 5 minutes
of relaxing breathing, slowly, deeper than usually.
• When you feel
yourself relaxed and willing to start, just put your focus on your right foot.
Take a few moments to see how it feels.
• Gently tense
the muscles of your foot; squeeze them as tightly as you can. Keep this
situation for 10 seconds.
• Now, relax
your foot and focus how the whole tension from it floats away. Feel your right
foot becoming loose and light.
• Stay for a few
moments in this relaxed state. Keep breathing slowly and deeply.
• After this,
turn your full focus on your left foot. Repeat everything you did with your
right foot.
• After your
feet, move your focus upper your body. Contract and relax each muscle group you
can reach, repeating the same procedure. Make breaks between each group of
muscles, breathing deeply and slowly
Defense Against
Stress
It can take some
time to start really feeling your muscles, but done regularly, this technique
will give you one of best relaxation you have ever felt.
Stress relief
techniques might cause different kinds of relaxation and dealing with stress,
but the combination of mind focusing and muscle relief offers you a deep and
specific relaxation, with a feeling of being light, while your body regenerates
its energies.
You can also use these stress relief techniques as a kind
of simple meditation for kids. Whatever you do with them,
you’ll have only benefits, while your nervous system will get a defense against
all kinds of stress. Just relax, ok?
