Relaxation, in a general sense, is simply a matter of letting go of stress, mental fatigue, worry and pressure. It occurs naturally when we do something familiar, comforting, or self-satisfying. Total relaxation of the mind and body takes practice, but certain levels of relaxation can be achieved by doing a variety of things.

Common Ways of Relaxation Include:

Meditation, Conditioned Muscle Relaxation, T'ai Chi, Massage, Warm Baths, Deep Breath / Sighs, Guided Imagery, Television / Movies, Music / Concerts, Exercises / Sports, Dance / Aerobics, Knitting, Puzzles, Social Conversation, Sleep, Phone Calls

Relaxation techniques are extremely valuable tools in stress management. Most of the techniques like meditation, self-hypnosis, and deep muscle relaxation work in a similar fashion. They make it possible for you to spend a short period of time in a state of profound relaxation. In this state both the body and the mind are at rest and the outside world is screened out for a period of time. The practice of one of these techniques on a regular basis can provide a wonderfully calming and relaxing feeling that seems to have a lasting effect for many people. Your energy level and ability to cope with the external world are replenished. Practitioners and researchers have reported many positive life effects from the regular practice of one of these techniques.

You may want to take a course or read about one of these techniques. These techniques easy to learn, but can be difficult to fit into your schedule. If you don't have an opportunity to get instruction, just practice sitting quietly for 15 minutes, with no interruptions. Let yourself relax by focusing on something peaceful - a beautiful scene at the beach or in the mountains, for example. Sometimes it is your negative thoughts or worries that create tension. You can practice "thought stopping techniques" and learn how to use positive self-talk to cope with stress. Even simple interruption can help. Stop and take a purposeful 10-minute break. Go for a walk, breathe deeply, call a friend, put on some favorite music. Keep your sense of humor! Remember, you can talk with a counselor to learn more about how to develop these stress-reducing skills.

Useful Sites:

• Relax Audio (UNC) - Excellent Series of Guided Relaxation Audio Files
• Meditation Dealing With Stress (Brooklyn College)
• Breathing Techniques (USF)