Which sex is the worst about washing up? Why is it so important? We’ve got the dirty truth on how and when to wash your hands.
Relaxation Exercises
Topic Overview
Certain breathing exercises and body muscle relaxation exercises help reduce stress.
Practice relaxation exercises 10 to 20 minutes a day.
By Maureen Connolly REDBOOK tested 6 relaxation tools. Find out which ones delivered results. Our experience: Coiled energy? Theta waves? We were skeptical—and the warped-sounding background music was odd. But Kelly Howell's soothing voice won us over. In fact, one tester felt calmer after listening to just the introduction. Bottom line: There's no knowing whether this CD arouses kundalini, but it can lay stress to rest. Until Tomorrow...A Gentle Guide for a Good...
Read the High-Tech Stressbusters article > >
- Tell others in your house that you are going to practice your relaxation exercises. Ask them not to disturb you.
- Do your exercises in a comfortable place, away from all distractions and noise.
- Lie down on your back or sit with your back straight.
- Concentrate on your breathing. Make it slow and steady.
- Inhale through your nose. Exhale through either your nose or mouth.
- Breathe deeply, filling up the area between your navel and your rib cage. Do not breathe with your chest.
- Do not hold your breath.
- Continue this breathing pattern for 5 to 10 minutes. Notice the feeling of calmness throughout your whole body.
As you continue to breathe slowly and deeply, relax by doing the following for another 5 to 10 minutes:
- Tighten and relax each muscle in your body. You can begin at your toes and work your way up to your head.
- Imagine your muscle groups relaxing and becoming heavy.
- Empty your mind of all thoughts.
- Allow yourself to relax more and more deeply.
- Become aware of the state of calmness that surrounds you.
When your time is over, you can bring yourself back to alertness by moving your fingers and toes, then your hands and feet, stretching and moving your entire body. Sometimes people fall asleep during relaxation; they usually wake up shortly afterward.
During relaxation, you can play soothing, relaxing music.
Always give yourself time to return to full alertness before you drive a car or do other activities that might cause an accident if you are not fully alert. Never play a relaxation tape while driving a car.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Hot Topics
- Which Drugstore Tooth Whiteners Work Best?
- Is Your Psoriasis Treatment Working?
- Eating Out? Cut Calories, Heartburn
- 16 Tips for Clear Skin
- Top 12 Dog Behavior Problems
- Generic Drugs: What You Need to Know
- Causes and Cures of Bad Breath
- Depression, Pain & Anxiety: What's the Link?
- How Diabetes Affects Your Teeth
- Ulcerative Colitis: Check Your Symptoms
