Tension is a normal part of life, we all feel it when we’re stressed, or anxious, or angry. But sometimes tension can become so overwhelming that it prevents us from living our lives. If that’s happening to you right now, take a deep breath and relax! You’re not alone. The good news is that there are lots of ways to relax your body and mind when they get tense.
Here are some relaxation techniques to ease the tension and stress caused by everyday life.
Guided imagery
This process involves focusing your imagination on a particular image or scene to help promote calming and relaxation. Close your eyes and imagine yourself somewhere relaxing, like on a tropical beach or in a cozy cabin by the fire with snow falling outside the window pane. This will help distract you from stressful situations by taking your mind off of them temporarily so that they don’t seem quite so bad anymore!
Progressive muscle relaxation
This technique involves tensing and relaxing specific muscles of the body, such as the shoulders and legs, to cope with stress and other emotions.
Deep breathing or belly breathing
One of the best ways to relieve tension is by practicing deep breathing exercises. You can do this by placing one hand on your belly and the other on your chest, then breathing deeply for about two minutes. As you breathe, make sure you are able to feel your belly going up and down with each breath.
Meditation
Being present in each moment is important because when we’re overly stressed out, we get distracted easily by things that don’t matter. Meditation can help eliminate those little distractions. To start meditating, find a comfortable spot where you can sit without distraction. Close your eyes while focusing on your breathing, noticing how it rises into the chest and falls into the belly. If a distracting thought pops up, simply acknowledge it, let it pass, and move back to focusing on the breath only.
Take a nap
Tiredness can cause tension. If you’re feeling tired, try taking a nap or going to bed early that night. You’ll feel refreshed when you wake up and have less tension as a result of being well-rested.
Go for a walk
When we’re stressed out, our bodies release cortisol—a hormone that helps us deal with stressful situations—into our systems. Exercising helps release this hormone, which makes us feel better after working out! You can also try meditation or yoga if you’d prefer not to exercise outside in the heat (or cold).
