Types of Relaxation Techniques

Some quick exercises to help you physically relax your body

We all know relaxation is good for our health, but do we know how to relax? If we are unable to slow down our physical responses to stress and anxiety, then we will not experience the benefits of relaxing activities. Here are some types of relaxation techniques that should be easy to fit into your daily life.

Breathing Focused Strategies

How often do you pay attention to your breath? We tend to hold our breath or breathe shallowly when we are stressed. We have all been instructed to “take a deep breath” before reacting to something stressful, so we know that it is a strategy to slow down our physical reaction. But did you know that if you practice it frequently, it can become a habit and reduce your overall stress long term?

* Not everyone finds taking a deep breath calming, and if you have asthma or breathing difficulties, it can actually increase anxiety. If it’s not for you, skip ahead to see if reducing muscle tension or using music or movement is better for you.

Slow Deep Breathing

Just be aware of your breath and slow it down. You can do this while counting if you want. I like to count to 5 on the inhale, 6 on the exhale, 7 on the…