Relaxation Techniques
for Wellness and Stress Management

Nancy Hausauer, LMP
706 Sixth Avenue * Tacoma, WA 98405 * 253-686-1214
Massage, lymphatic massage, and energy healing serving Tacoma, Seattle,
Federal Way, Puyallup, Lakewood, Olympia, and the Puget Sound region

Relaxation techniques can do wonders for your health -- physical, mental, and emotional. Relaxation feels great and allows our bodies' natural self-healing and restoration processes to work like they're supposed to.

Yet most of us think of relaxation as an indulgence -- something for vacation, or that massage we've been meaning to schedule.

But it's so much more than a luxury. In fact, I believe that it's a necessity. It's so good for you that I wish there were a branch of medicine devoted to it: Relaxation Therapy.

The Body's Relaxation Response: a Prescription for Wellness
Relaxing turns off your body's response to stress -- with remarkable benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are some of the good things that relaxing does for you:

• Slows your heart rate and normalizes blood pressure
• Slows your breathing rate and allows more efficient use of oxygen
• Decreases stress hormones
• Increases growth and sex hormones
• Improves immune system health
• Reduces muscle tension
• Helps relieve headaches, back pain, and many other aches and pains
• Helps you handle anger and frustration
• Gives you more energy
• Improves concentration and creativity

If you're interested, here are some of the negative effects that long-term stress does to us. (link coming soon)

Relaxation Techniques
There are many ways to learn to turn off the stress response and move into a health-building state of relaxation. Here are some easy relaxation tips and exercises:

Using your breath to relax is probably the easiest way of all.

Or try progressive muscle relaxation.

Meditation is a time-honored way to let go of stress and tension. Click here to learn how to meditate.

You can also use essential oils (aromatherapy) to help you de-stress.

And here are ten techniques for relaxation that you can do pretty much anytime:

1. Take a walk.
2. Think about someone you love.
3. Think about someplace you love.
4. Get out in nature. If you're in the middle of the city, you can still find plants and animals you can place your attention on for a few moments.
5. Take a deep breath, all the way into your belly (the bottom of your lungs).
6. Place your attention in the here and now. Notice that you are OK right here, right now.
7. Sing.
8. Stretch and yawn.
9. Listen to relaxing music.
10. Laugh. If there's nothing to laugh about right now, smile and keep your eyes and ears open for something funny -- it'll show up!

Of course, massage and energy work are also great for helping you relax!