Therapeutic Thursday?

Relaxing Exercises

source: tranquilityisyours.com

Learning how to relax can greatly improve your health and

well-being. That's why it is so important to find ways to

introduce more relaxation into your everyday life. If you

don't learn to manage stress, stress will manage you; and

left unchecked, stress can be draining, cause anxiety, and

even trigger health issues.

Relaxation exercises are a great way to relieve stress.

The exercises below can work wonders on the stress knots

in your shoulders and neck regions - on the stress that

accumulates in your muscles - and even against certain

stress headaches. These relaxation exercises are also

great, because they are not strenuous. Each position is

very easy to perform, can induce relaxation when you are

tense, and can also provide instant stress relief.

Relaxation Exercise #1 - Legs across chair

Begin by getting a chair. Now lie on your back on the floor, and place your

legs across the seat in a sideways position. Make sure the chair is right up

against the bend in your knees. This relaxation exercise provides stress relief

to your lower back. It also allows your whole body to let go of tension and begin

to relax. Slow down your breathing too. Breathe slowly in and out through

your nose. If you really want to go deep with this relaxation exercise, try

covering your eyes with a moist warm towel. Stay in this position for several

minutes. Try ten to fifteen minutes to enjoy the full benefits.

Relaxation Exercise #2 - Bottom against wall

Next, put the chair aside and move your buttocks up to the base of a wall and

extend your legs straight up the wall. Make sure your bottom is as close to the

base of the wall as possible, and that the small of your back is flat against the

floor. You can place your arms straight out on either side, or just keep them

by your sides. Again, keep your breathing slow, or do some breathing

exercises. This position really gets your blood flowing and helps the body

release stress.

Relaxation Exercise #3 - Knees into the chest

Now bend your knees and bring them close to your chest. Hold your legs to

your chest with your hands if you can. That really helps stretch the lower

back. If holding your knees close to your chest is not relaxing to you, just keep

your knees in a bent position as close to your chest as possible. Close your

eyes, breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Slow

breathing is important here to help keep your body from tensing up.

Relaxation Exercise #4 - Blanket against back

Now here's the last of the relaxation exercises, and it’s the best. Slowly move

away from the wall. Don't jump up quickly. Instead, roll over on your side, and

use your hands to push yourself up into a sitting position. Now take a blanket,

towel or cloth and roll it into the shape of a log. Place it on the floor and lie

back on the cloth so that it's horizontally straight across your shoulder blades.

This is a great shoulder relaxation exercise. It stretches out your shoulders

blades and opens up your chest. This feels great after hunching over a

computer all day, and really helps to release the stress knots in your

shoulders, and other tensions that can form in your neck and back regions.

There you have it. Simple, easy, and effective relaxation exercises to help

relief stress. Remember, when you're done, don't get up quickly. Roll over on

your side, and use your hands and arms to push yourself up into a sitting

position, and then continue to get up slowly. Do any or all of the relaxation

exercises separately, or in the order demonstrated.

The key to finding true relaxation is balance. If you are use to a hectic lifestyle

you may feel that relaxing might make you lose your edge. You may also be

addicted to the affects of adrenaline, and find it problematic to relax. But

remember your body can't remain on high alert all the time. It will eventually

lead to burn out, and encourage physical ailments.