What are some good relaxation / stress management techniques?

Question

I've been told that relaxing / managing stress can lower my blood pressure. Does anyone have any tips (ex. breathing exercises...)?

Answer 1

Yoga is fantastic. If you get the book Yoga for Dummies and a DVD, plus a mat kit, you will be set. Try to take half an hour a day. You'll be surprised how good you feel.
Also, when you feel yourself getting a bit stressed, don't let it build up. Stop what your doing, stand up and stretch out and take 10 deep breathes, in deeply and hold for a count of 4, then release all the air in your lungs. The stress will blow away on your breath...
Good luck and try just chillin. The world doesn't mind what you do.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

There are millions of stress management techniques out there but my favorite is my imagination. If I get stressed because of money or work or whatever and I cannot sleep I just take a bit to rest and imagine I have just won the lottery...I am informing my family that all of their financial worries are over and then I start picturing how beautiful my house is and how much time I would have to spend STRESS FREE with my kids and husband...I usually don't make it past this point and I am out like a light...It's crazy how well it works.

If I am not trying to get to sleep, I just take a moment to sit down and picture myself relaxing in a setting that I would find beautiful and peaceful. A breathtaking waterfall...I am lying next to a cool stream and looking out over beautiful mountains watching the clouds go by...It is definitely relaxing and gives your mind a brief break away from the stress of the moment.

Answer 4

i have stumbled across the best stress reliever i believe is even available. it is a little costly, but well worth it. it is at 20minutestolessstress.com and i have tried it, you get 3 cds first one is total relaxation, second one is breathing techniques and third one is self healing., comes iwth instuctions on how often and in which order to use them, and i could say somany positive things about it, but it si best to just go to the website and read their information. you may also think of taking up a hobby like piano or basketball or something like that. that kind of stuff is good for stress too, but this other only takes 20 minutes a day, and only for 21 total days, unless you just want to do it after that. it helps to teach you how to use the techniques in every day life, so you deal with the stress at the time it occurs, no religion base to it or new age or anything like that, and supposedly it has actually cured some people of cancer hope this helps

Answer 5

You should learn diaphramatic breathing. This is the correct way to breath, using your diaphram instead of your neck and upper chest muscles. If you are doing it right, your stomach pushes out when you breath in. Rest your hand on your tummy and lay down and relax. Try to breath deeply by pushing out your tummy--diphram muscle pulls air into the lungs by expanding them, then you slowly exhale and your tummy goes back in, pushing the air out with the diaphram. Once you get the hang of it, you will breath this way naturally which is the correct way to breath. You get more air and feel more relaxed. If you breath correctly your chest should not rise when you breath in- your tummy should rise. If your chest rises you are using the wrong muscles and getting shallow breath.
To relax sometimes I just like to pretend I won the lottery and imagine how I would spend the money. It sounds funny but after I think of that for a while I almost feel like I actually won! After all, our feelings are just our perception of reality so if you make a fun reality to be in for a short time you can feel happy, escape your troubles and release seratonin.
Another thing to try is looking through a catalog and pretend you get to pick one free item from each page. Fun game and makes you think of good things and feel happy.
Also another technique is to take a deep breath, hold for a few seconds and then blow it out through your mouth, Do this a few times and you will feel relaxed. Good luck.

Answer 6

I find humming when breathing out is very good.
Also, looking at green colours and things that are not too close.
If I'm stressed I chill out and watch TV with my dog. Animals can help to relax you.

Answer 7

You can try few more things like

Massage therapies, spa etc
Energy transmissions
crystal healing
Reiki
Spiritual retreats
Pursue your hobby
Movies
Outing

Answer 8

3

Answer 9

2

Answer 10

Valium