Breathing And Relaxation Techniques
If you have ever been stressed out and irritable, then you know the effects that stress can have not only on your metal stability, but also on your overall health.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that in 2001 nearly 50% of stress-related cases ended up in individuals being absent from work for at least a month.
Easy Relaxation Techniques For Stress Reduction
Everyone has stress, which is why we need techniques that can reduce it. Studying methods of relaxation are essential to lower blood pressure, respiration, and pulse rates. Learning to relax allows muscles to release tension and eases relaxation. One technique will not work for everyone. You will need to find the mixture of stress relaxation techniques that work best for you.
Stress Techniques
stress techniques
What are some good stress release/relaxation techniques?
I'm a senior in college, and I'm trying to graduate a year early. The stress to pass all my classes this semester is really getting to me and I am having a hard time handling it, are there any really good relaxation techniques anyone has?
Try meditation. It can help to quiet and calm you down and make you more relaxed. Over time, you will also build up concentration power and deepen understanding about yourself.
But, meditation is not a quick-fix solution. To reap its benefits, you need to do it everyday consistently. Having said that, don't give yourself undue pressure. 15 mins a day is all you need. Enjoy it, don't see it as a chore. I definitely encouraged you to try it.
Here's a simple breathing meditation you can try to help you relax:
1. Sit down in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for 15 minutes or longer. Sit on a cushion cross legged, or on a chair. Just make yourself comfortable (but not so comfortable that you fall asleep). If it's cold, wrap a thin blanket around you.
2. Close your eyes and start by taking a few slow, deep breaths. Don't force yourself to breathe deeply. Let it come naturally. The first few tries are normally shallow but as you continue, allow more air to fill your lungs naturally each time. Gradually, your breaths will become deep and slow. Take as long as you need.
3. Once you are breathing deeply, you'll feel more relaxed. That's a good sign. Focus your attention on your breaths. If you find your attention straying to other things in your mind, just gently bring it back to your breaths. It happens often, even to experienced meditators. So no need to beat yourself up. What's important is to realize it and bring your attention back.
4. Take as long as you feel like it. Beginners usually have trouble sitting for long. It's perfectly okay. As you meditate more, you'll find it easier to sit for longer period. Don't give yourself undue pressure to complete a certain time as it'll only make meditation another thing on your to-do list. Keep it as a light, fun and intimate moment to spend knowing yourself better.
5. When you are done, just open your eyes gently. Stand up and do a little stretch and bring your increased awareness into your daily activities.
For more information on how to meditate, you may like to check out: http://theconsciouslife.com/how-to-meditate-a-guide-for-beginners.htm
There's also a variation of the breathing meditation, How to Relax and Master Your Stress at http://theconsciouslife.com/how-to-relax-and-master-your-stress.htm
Have fun meditating! Learn to see your current situation in the right perspective. The problems or setbacks you face now will most likely be inconsequential in 10 or even 5 years from now.
All the best!
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Stress Management Certification
Find Reflexology Certification Programs in the United States and Canada. Students interested in enrolling in reflexology certification programs learn a great deal about "sole" healing - of course, that is if you take a specific curriculum in foot reflexology. Aside from foot reflexology, reflexology certification programs teach future practitioners how to administer applied pressure to various meridian points in the ears and palms of the hands.
In reflexology certification programs, students are introduced to holistic principles of mind/body/spirit medicines, relaxation techniques, anatomy and physiology; foot, palm and ear mapping; chakra balancing, and stress management. In addition, reflexology certification programs provide hands-on training in the specific application of reflexology; including hand, finger and thumb techniques.
Students participating in reflexology certification programs learn how reflexology affects the body and its various systems. For example, by stimulating different points on the feet, hands and ears, energy flow is unblocked and helps to release toxins from the body. Subsequently, circulation is improved and balance is once again restored to the "whole person" and not just the individual parts.
Holistic courses in reflexology often require six to twelve weeks of practical studies, and result in a certificate or diploma of completion. Graduates may then apply for reflexology certification through the American Reflexology Certification Board and become nationally certified.
Upon successfully attaining reflexology certification, reflexologists use learned skills and knowledge to help clients and patients suffering from back pain, digestive problems, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), stress, fibromyalgia, and other common health conditions and ailments. Additionally, if you are already a practicing massage therapist, earning your certification in reflexology will only enhance practice skills and supplementary natural health services to patients.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding reflexology certification programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.
Reflexology Certification Programs
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About the Author:
Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Reflexology Certification Programs, Holistic Schools, and other Healing Arts.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Reflexology Certification Programs
Stress Relaxation Techniques
So you are tired and stressed out day after day. You've had thoughts of yoga, meditation, and soothing spa experiences, but you either don't have the time to do those things, or it is beyond your reach right now. Let me show you a few very simple, simple relaxation techniques that you can use at any time, without any effort or previous knowledge to accomplish - using candles! That's right, using candles. Almost everyone has a candle in the house, most of us have several, and if you don't have one, the nearest store is sure to have a grand selection.
To begin, you don't need to have any certain type of candle. Almost any candle will work, big or small, soy candles, paraffin candles, beeswax candles, scented or unscented! Of course, scents will help with the relaxation, so I will give you a few ideas on which fragrances to use to help you to fully enjoy the benefits of candle relaxation.
Lavender is the fragrance most renowned for it's relaxation benefits in aromatherapy. It's a common ingredient in products aimed at relaxation and stress relief, such as pillows, bath oils, soaps and lotions. However it may not be the right fragrance for you. Some people find particular scents relaxing while others do not. For instance, the fragrance of warm cinnamon buns may smell like heaven to me, but may make you want to run to higher ground! Other fragrances may have bad memories attached to them in your own mind. For that reason, I recommend that you take into account your own personal preferences in choosing the scented products that are right for you. Other fragrances that have a strong reputation for relaxation are: chamomile, vanilla, ylang ylang, clary sage, bergamot, frankincense, and sandalwood. Although if you have strong allergies or are highly sensitive to scented items, we recommend going with an unscented candle for your own relaxation.
The color of the candle you use is very important when you are using candles for relaxation purposes. Use calming, muted colors to relax, such as pale blues, greens, white, or violet. Bright colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows can be stimulating to the mind and might make it harder to fully relax. I personally recommend candles of a blue color to relax, but if you personally really hate the color blue, you may use any light color that pleases your eye.
The first way to use candles in relaxation and stress relief is a very simple, yet utterly effective method. Simply take a deep breath, and stare at the flame of the candle while it is lit. Focus in on the area at the base of the wick where the flames color is blue. Watch how the colors subtly change as you stare into the flame. Take deep, calming breaths while relaxing and simply focusing on the candle flame. It helps if this is done in a darkened room, however the exercise is effective even while in a brightly lit space.
Another simple method for candle relaxation is to take your candle and a small pin or other object to "write" on the candle, and write the word "Relax" vertically on the surface of the candle. As the candle burns, on each letter, meditate on a single thought. It can be anything you want as long as it is a positive thought. As the candle burns to a new letter, change to a different meditative thought. This is a way of meditating while having a "timer" (the candle) to set a slow but relaxing pace while giving you a focus for your meditation.
Finally, candles and water can be an extremely effective combination. I recommend using floating candles in a combination with the first technique, or alternatively to place a candle in a bowl and place small attractive rocks or crystals around the base to anchor it, then placing a small amount of water in the bottom of the bowl. This is not only helpful for relaxation, but is also very decorative and in itself holds many ideas for decorating your home.
Of course, the act of simply having lit candles is very relaxing in itself. Whether simply around the house, in the bathtub, or during intimate moments, candles can enhance and bring peacefulness to our hectic lives. So the next time you are looking for a quick way to de-stress and ground yourself, look no further than the wax and wick!
About the Author:
Stephanie Davies is a 27 year old Missourian with a loving husband and an 8 year old son. She currently owns her own business,
Mystickal Incense & More
, and sells handmade candles, incense, bath & body products and more at
http://www.mystickalincense.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Relaxation Techniques Using Candles
