Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques / Skills – what will work for you?
Our lives have become more rushed and busy causing a lot more of us to start feeling the effects of
stress. Due to the nature of our stressful lives many of us have lost the ability to really relax.
Stress management is an active process which means we have to intentionally plan the ways in which we will manage stress. In other words managing stress won't happen just by hoping that our stressful circumstances will change.
Stress management and relaxation techniques are one of the most effective self help activities for those struggling with anxiety or depression or experiencing a period of significant
stress. Counselling for anxiety and depression will often include skills training in
stress management relaxation techniques / skills.
The capability to relax, manage stress and take ourselves away from the stress of life is a natural and very valuable ability that all of us possess but as most of us haven’t embraced this ability in such a long time we have started to forget how to actually use it. When we were younger the skill of relaxation was a lot easier, now our
stress management relaxation skills seem to revolve around alcohol, drugs, television, or even comfort-eating.
If you are constantly facing stressful situations in your life it is important that you take on board the correct
relaxation skills that are designed to help you deal with these stressful situations.
There are many
stress management relaxation techniques / skills that you could take on board and there are many benefits that stress management relaxation techniques / skills will bring to your life. For example
stress management relaxation techniques or skills enable you to take a break; they mean that you can take a break from stressful situations as well as allowing you to re-charge yourself mentally and physically. Relaxation techniques provide you with effective stress management and will help you if you have intense fears or phobias.
As a previously mentioned there are a number of stress managment relaxation techniques and skills available to you such as focusing your attention on your breath for a short period of time. When using breathing as a
relaxation skill you should breathe from your stomach not your chest; you should inhale and exhale through your nose with long and take deep breathes in and out. While you are using your breathing as a stress managment relaxation technique or skill you should attempt to let go and relax mentally. With each in breath think “calm” and when you breathe out imagine that you are releasing your negative thoughts and tension.
When beginning stress managment relaxation skills or techniques make sure you take the time to find a physically comfortable position. To do this you may want to stretch and sit comfortably upright with your hands resting on your thighs or lap. You are now ready to undertake your
relaxation skills; so pay attention to what you can see, hear and feel then close your eyes. Now do five long inhales and five long exhales and with each of these relax a different part of your body such as your feet, legs, arms, torso and your head and neck.
This is a proven stress management relaxation technique or skill and one that has helped many people cope and manage the stress that they face in their everyday lives. Other stress managment relaxation techniques or skills that help people are relaxing music, a soak in the bath or a walk in the park.
We all have our own preferences when it comes to the
relaxation skills so the important thing to remember is to try different techniques and find the stress management relaxation technique or skill that is right for you. If you have a hobby or favourite past time you could use this as your stress management relaxation skill. Almost any activity that takes you away from whatever is causing you to feel stressed in the first place can be viewed as a stress management relaxation techniques / skill.
Most importantly seek, try and you shall find the skills to help you cope with
stress. Just 15 minutes a day is enough to make sure that you keep a handle on your
stress and your life. So start your
stress management relaxation skills today and notice the effects almost immediately.
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Other searches to consider
Stress relief.
Coping with stress.
Relaxation therapy.
