Nowadays, unless you are attacked or robbed, threats come in the form of worries about children, bad relationships, financial difficulties or work problems. Sometimes all at once! You are often left with the pent-up energy from this stress response and if this continues over a period of moths, you get so used to feeling this way that you cease to notice how stressed you actually are.

Relaxation helps.

• You may have to deal with the specific issues that have led to your stress but if you are relaxed you can make better decisions about them, solve problems more swiftly and simply feel more healthy and confident.
• These relaxation exercises provide you with the skills to slow down and unwind so that you can face another demanding day with renewed energy. Sit or lie down by yourself in a quiet and peaceful place.
• Try to remain awake but if you do fall asleep simply relax and enjoy letting go.

Relax and enjoy

Ros

Deep Relaxation allows you to tense then relax each muscle group. It takes about 20 minutes and is a good place to start.

Quick Relaxation is similar to deep relaxation in terms of muscle groups but you imagine relaxing each rather than physically tensing and relaxing.

Visualisation focusses on mental relaxation. You slow down your breathing then transport yourself to your favourite place of relaxation.

Problem Solving also uses our ability to visualise but in addition enable you to problem solves but imaging positive outcomes and timescales.