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Relaxation exercises

by admin_ben — last modified 2008-01-24 03:04

As much as we'd all love to be able to have our own masseuse and a life coach, in reality these are rare treats for most of us. But you can actually look after your own wellbeing without these expensive treatments. Many people now practice relaxation exercises to help them deal with stress or difficult situations. Try these exercises and see if you feel less stressed.

Calm breathing
If you are in a situation where you start to feel apprehensive or nervous, it would be worth focusing on your breath. When we are nervous or excited we can start to hyperventilate, and this exercise helps to avoid this.

Tip: aim to make your out breath longer that your in breath

  • Breathe in smoothly through the nose for the count of 2. Then immediately
  • Breathe out gently to a count of 4.

With practise you can make the in breath longer. Repeat 5 or 6 times.
As you breathe in:

  1. Lift the diaphragm
  2. Allow chest and ribs to expand
  3. Slightly raise the shoulders
  4. As you breathe out:
  5. Allow shoulders to drop
  6. Allow ribs to sink back in
  7. Pull tummy in and gently up to push out last of air

Yoga
Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years. You can learn about this discipline by:

  • Getting a book or video out from the library
  • Attending a local class. Once you've got the basics you can practice at home if you've got space.
  • Take an online yoga class: www.yogaclass.com

There are different types of yoga available.
Click here to find out more www.clickwalla.com

Foot massage
If you can't persuade anyone to do this for you, why not DIY? It takes more effort but is very worthwhile. Grab whatever oil or moisturiser you have. Work on each foot for around five minutes and end with a stroking movement from the toes towards the knees. If you have aromatherapy oils, mix some with your base oil and massage away. Or alternatively, after massaging your feet have a footbath with a few drops of your favourite oil.

Leg kicking
Vigorously kicking your legs can leave you feeling much less tense.
Lie on your bed and vigorously kick your legs until they are genuinely tired. Alternatively try in the swimming pool. Hold onto the bar and kick out behind you.

Disclaimer
All content in the Healthy Ideas section is for general information only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health. SPAN is not responsible or liable for any actions taken by a user of this site. SPAN is not liable for the contents of any external sites listed, nor does it endorse any advice, products or services mentioned on these sites.

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