Relaxation Techniques for Stress: Yoga, Massage, Alexander Technique, and More

INTRODUCTION TO RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

In the modern stress-filled world it is good to know that there are many ways in which we can combat the effects of stress, from specific techniques to physical exercise. Here are four particular techniques which have been proven over time as effective relaxation techniques.

YOGA

Yoga is something that each of us will have heard of, and many of us will have tried at some point. Yoga is a mixture of the physical, mental and spiritual. Different people and teachers will place different emphasis on those three elements, and some may even discard the spiritual altogether. Yoga typically involves breathing exercises and physical exercises which are designed to improve the function of the body, leading to better breathing, increased muscle tone, and released stress. Yoga can in itself be a very effective relaxation technique as well as the long-term effects of an improved body and mind. For some, Yoga has a very spiritual end whereas for some it is just about improving health. Either way, yoga is a very good relaxation technique.

MASSAGE

If you have ever been on the end of a good massage, you will know just how good a relaxation technique massage can be. Skilled practitioners in massage are quite accomplished anatomists of the human body and are well aware of how stress can manifest itself in the physical body and how to help release that stress, leading to a greater sense of relaxation. Massage involves a wide variety of techniques, and there are dozens of different types of massage throughout the world, such as acupressure, deep tissue massages, and Indian head massage etc. Some types of massage focus quite intensely on individual parts of the body while other types focus on the whole body. An occasional massage will help to relieve immediate stress, whereas regular massage will help more and may even help the body to resist the effects of stress and to aid relaxation.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

Alexander technique is a form of body-management that takes its cue from the belief that a lot of stress manifests itself through the physical body, and that much of this can be due to incorrect body alignment. Alexander Technique, first established about 1900, had has particular success with actors and musicians in relation to body movement and vocal health, but has also in recent years proved to be particularly successful in relation to back pain, and relieving general stress through a greater awareness of the correct movement and alignment of the body. Alexander Technique is usually practiced with a skilled practitioner who is able to detect through a variety of exercise the stressful movements of the person in question, helping them to move in a less stressed and more relaxed way, which is where Alexander Technique becomes a helpful relaxation technique.

HYPNOTHERAPY

When people first think of hypnotherapy, they may think first of hypnosis, but modern hypnotherapy is very different from stage hypnosis and is a therapeutic form of psychology that seeks to modify a patient’s behavior by consent. Hypnotherapy in terms of combating stress recognizes that we have stress triggers. For example, a previous event may have caused us stress, so when we have to face that event again, we are likely to be stressed because we remember the events of last time. Hypnotherapy works by attempting to get rid of these negative triggers, reprogramming the negative thoughts in our minds and replacing them with positive thoughts. Positive thoughts are less likely to be stressful, and so in this sense hypnotherapy can be a very effective relaxation technique in battling stress. Hypnotherapy may be available through a psychologist or psychiatrist, but is increasingly available on the Internet in MP3 format, many of which are very effective.