Relaxation Techniques
1. Meditate – It’s simple. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes. Focus your attention on reciting — out loud or silently – a positive mantra such as “I feel at peace” or “I love myself.”
2. Breathe Deeply – Close your eyes with hand on your belly. Slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your abdomen and work its way to the top of your head
3. Be Present – Notice how the air feels on your face when you’re walking and how your feet feel hitting the ground. When you spend time in the moment and focus on your senses, you should feel less tense.
4. Reach Out – Connect with your friends, share ideas and how you feel it can make you feel better.
5. Tune In to Your Body – Mentally scan your body to get a sense of how stress affects it each day
6. Decompress – Place a warm heat wrap around your neck and shoulders for 10 minutes. Close your eyes and relax your face, neck, upper chest, and back muscles.
7. Laugh Out Loud – It lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, and boosts brain chemicals called endorphins, which help your mood.
8. Crank Up the Tunes – Listening to music is a good relaxation technique
9. Get Moving – having exercise regularly can release stress and make you feel better
10. Be Grateful – Being grateful for your blessings cancels out negative thoughts and worries

Practicing relaxation techniques can reduce stress symptoms by:

– Slowing your heart rate
– Lowering blood pressure
– Slowing your breathing rate
– Reducing activity of stress hormones
– Increasing blood flow to major muscles
– Reducing muscle tension and chronic pain
– Improving concentration and mood
– Lowering fatigue
– Reducing anger and frustration
– Boosting confidence to handle problems

You should do these relaxation techniques in a quiet environment and comfortable position.