This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How on earth is squeezing anything going to allow for relaxation to occur? Surely it will generate more tension, won't it?
Well, not necessarily. Indeed, combined with focused breathing it is a great tool to alleviate stress and will help those stubborn tense muscles to let go!
It is a common affliction for many people to have unnecessary muscular tension throughout their bodies and this becomes the norm. Hectic lifestyles and sedentary jobs all contribute towards tension in the body as well as bad posture.
This being the case it may sound ludicrous to suggest creating more tension by squeezing. However, it is by initially squeezing that a wonderful physical contrast is created leaving the body feeling more tranquil. Also, once you have experienced the difference it will also encourage you to consciously become less tense and to use less energy when going about everyday tasks.
Below are some simple instructions that can be instantly used to experience how squeezing muscles and breathing in a specific way can help tension to subside!
1. Sit or stand comfortable.
2. Inhale and squeeze a muscle group.
3. Hold for a second and then, as you release this muscular tension, exhale slowly and fully.
4. Repeat this five to ten times. Note the distinction between how your muscles felt to begin with and now, after having let them relax from a contracted position.
5. Note ? If you are looking for a quick way to loose tension all over your body all you need do is, from a standing position, inhale and squeeze your entire body and then on the long slow exhalation release all tension. Try this five times and feel the positive effects!
Whether you squeeze and then relax one muscle at a time or your whole body you should have the feeling of almost deflating like a balloon and loosing undue tension.
It is also worth bearing in mind there are no long periods of squeezing muscles and holding the breath! It is not required and is dangerous.
You can utilise this method whenever you feel stressed, tense, or angry and it will go a long way towards reminding you that a relaxed body is almost always better and happier than a tense one.
Give it a whirl and feel for yourself!
? Tim Webb 2005
Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor and competitor. He specialises in easily accessible deep breathing exercises that combine breath and mind together. His site http://www.breathforsuccess.com/ offers a product that provides deep breathing exercises for invigorating yourself, relaxing, and highlights how your breath can be tied in with your goals to move you towards them in record time!
eco-friendly cleaning service Bannockburn ..On a beautiful summer day years ago, I went water... Read More
In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach... Read More
Many of my readers write to me about the tensions... Read More
I'm sure you have heard of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome,... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
While free-lancing for business magazines, I was assigned to write... Read More
Do you have stress in your life?......I know you answered... Read More
Of all the sources of stress in our lives, faulty... Read More
Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the... Read More
Adversity is an unavoidable part of life. Death of a... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
If you have recently lost health insurance coverage through your... Read More
Success in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Are you a "worry wart?" Is that term familiar to... Read More
The day wasn't going well already. You know how it... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
It's summertime and chances are you can remember a summer... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
When was the last time that you truly took a... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
No need to go spend money at a spa! There... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Everywhere I go, I hear the same unpleasant sentence repeated... Read More
Living in our world today can be very stressful. While... Read More
Syndicated columnist Dale Dauten recently wrote, "One of life's great... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can... Read More
Case #1- Elizabeth, a 40 year old homemaker was always... Read More
At what age does the benefit of play cease? Child... Read More
Seems like more and more they are all around us.... Read More
A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident,... Read More
Whenever we think of 'stress', negative thoughts come into our... Read More
I have yet to see a scientist talk about the... Read More
Many of my readers write to me about the tensions... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More
The main problem in a down economy is that workplaces... Read More
My first real job (schedule, time clock, paycheck, boss) was... Read More
If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More
Why is it that some people become totally stressed when... Read More
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
Have you recently moved or started a new job? Do... Read More
If you are an anxiety and panic sufferer, then you've... Read More
Are You Too Stressed?Is your stomach all tied up in... Read More
Stress Management |